Officers on foot patrol will be enforcing the law on aggressive panhandling among other things.

Gerry Williams was struggling to break a cycle of homelessness, alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder on the streets of Toronto as he was handed nearly $10,000 in fines under an Ontario law that targets panhandling.

More homeless people than ever are being ticketed for panhandling in Toronto under Ontario’s Safe Streets Act. Advocates say it’s time to repeal the law altogether.