Nelson city council has scrapped a proposed panhandling bylaw in favour of a pedestrian bylaw to deal with uncivil behaviour.
Mayor Deb Kozak thinks it’s a better and quicker approach.
The provincial Safe Streets Act lets police deal specifically with aggressive panhandling, but Kozak says that takes a lot more time.
Council gave the new bylaw three readings last night while rescinding the pedestrian bylaw, which stirred controversy two years ago. It was never adopted and remained in limbo.
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Kozak says this is a much better idea.
Penalties under the bylaw include modest fines and restorative justice.