Image: New Brunswick RCMP

Aggressive panhandling continues to be ongoing problem and Codiac RCMP have been cracking down on individuals this summer.

Interim Superintendent Ben Jollette recently gave an update to Moncton City Council on their efforts since the beginning of June.

“Thirteen chronic panhandlers have been challenged, educated and warnings given and five have been charged using the Motor Vehicle Act and actually eight have stopped,” noted Jollette.

Jollette said officers try to talk to the individuals first.

“In the communication that we’ve had with them, we try to connect them to other services and connect them to doing something else – which is positive – because we’re not just tracking enforcement but also some of the positive side effects of it.”

Jollette said one chronic panhandler remains very persistent and aggressive and he added officers have been dealing with the individual on a daily basis.