The Township of Langley has installed several no-panhandling signs on the traffic medians at the intersection of 64 Avenue and 200 Street, warning would-be moochers that attempting to extract money from drivers in traffic is both illegal and unsafe.

The signs went up after a police proposal was approved by the municipal traffic and transportation committee in March.

While the Township doesn’t have a bylaw that restricts panhandling, the provincial Safe Streets Act bans solicitation of a “captive audience,” a definition that includes “a person who is in or on a stopped, standing or parked vehicle.”

Langley City staff also want to put up no-panhandling signs at two locations on 200 street, at the Bypass and Fraser Highway, but because both intersections are under provincial highways control, the municipality must  get approval from the provincial government first.

The City has made a request, but hasn’t yet heard back.

The Township pilot project comes after two panhandlers were arrested late last year and charged with robbing a man at the Carvolth bus exchange after he didn’t give them as much money as they wanted.

Amanda Visona, 29, and 26-year-old Justin White later pleaded guilty to one count each of robbery and will be sentenced in August.

The Township signs are similar to the “No Panhandling” signs erected in Abbotsford at three traffic medians, in response to complaints from drivers about aggressive soliciting.

Chilliwack has also approved signs to discourage the practice.