Area police are reminding both drivers and pedestrians about the safety risks associated with people soliciting at busy intersections and roadways.
This as summer brings increased traffic volumes to, and through, the North Bay area.
Along with partner agencies, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) launched the Safer Streets Initiative in 2024.
It focuses on public education regarding roadside solicitation and the importance of keeping all road users safe.
Despite ongoing awareness efforts, officers continue to find people soliciting at high-traffic intersections throughout the city.
“These interactions can create distractions for motorists, increase the risk of collisions and place vulnerable individuals in dangerous proximity to moving vehicles,” states a release. “The OPP and NBPS recognize that members of the public often want to help those in need. However, stopping to provide money or other items at an intersection can unintentionally create safety concerns for everyone involved.”
Instead, police are encouraging residents to support local organizations and service providers that can offer assistance in a safe, coordinated, and sustainable manner.
Under Ontario’s Safe Streets Act, soliciting in or near roadways can be prohibited where it creates a risk to public safety.
Police say their primary focus remains on education and prevention, with enforcement considered when there are significant safety concerns.
