Panhandlers causing problems for business owners

By Barry Hazlehurst

Many Windsor business owners see panhandlers as a problem and often need to phone police when customers ask for spare change.

Katherine Wu, owner of the Downtown Smoke shop in Windsor, said many panhandlers become a nuisance when asking customers for spare change.

“I understand why they do what they do but some scare away my customers,” said Wu. “I just ask them politely to move away from the front of my store if things get out of hand.”

Wu said that most panhandlers are polite and move on when asked.

Ben Bryant, long-time resident and panhandler in Windsor, earns about $50 on a good day. He said most business owners are understanding.

“I do not really get any complaints from business owners. It’s mostly passers-by that tell me to get lost or get a job,” said Bryant.

Bryant said that he has learned not to ask for change in front of businesses but knows many other panhandlers do.

Nina Lucier is an employee at Ray and Kim’s Convenience. She said she has had to occasionally contact police regarding panhandlers.

“Some will not even move away from the front of the store when asked,” said Lucier. “Many business owners in the city are getting fed up with them.”

Lucier said she feels some customers may be reluctant to come to the store if they see a panhandler out front.

“As long as you are not being aggressive with people and respect business owners, panhandlers should not have a problem in Windsor,” said Bryant.