It was not on the agenda, but councillors discussed the idea of installing "care meters" in the downtown at its regular meeting Monday evening.
Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association chair, Larry Horwitz says people can make a donation to panhandlers by putting spare change into, what looks like a brightly coloured parking meter. This will help with the issues downtown it will help with the panhandling problem."
Ward three councillor, Fulvio Valentinis says he’s receiving complaints about the issue of panhandling.
The meters have been installed in other major cities around North America, which Horwitz says have been successful.
While the meters might bring in money for social services, councillor Drew Dilkens says they won’t necessarily stop people from holding out a hat.
Dilkens asked administration to investigate a bylaw to create a “no panhandling zone” in the city’s core, and says the idea needs more time to investigate.
Still, Dilkens is open to including the use of "care meters" and says the issue will return to council when the city’s administration has had time to study the matter.
The DWBIA is suggesting seven meters around the 300 block of Ouellette Avenue.
