THERE HAS BEEN an increase in vagrancy and homelessness in Bridgetown.
This was the word coming from chairman of the Barbados Vagrants & Homeless Society Kemar Saffrey as he spoke to the SUNDAY SUN during the society’s Love Day Christmas activities in Queen’s Park yesterday.
He said that the number of homeless and vagrants his registered charity, formed earlier this year, fed on a weekly basis was constantly increasing.
“We feed the homeless every Wednesday and Thursday and right now we are seeing the numbers going up every week.
“It has gotten to the point that sometimes we run out of food and when more people come and don’t get, they feel disappointed.
“And we are seeing a lot of younger faces too; when we ask them why they want food they would say that things hard and rough,” Saffrey said.
“A lot of them are saying that there was too much stress on the local workforce causing them to can’t find employment.
“Then a lot of them are constantly using drugs and other illegal substances and because they don’t have anywhere to live, people think twice about hiring them.”
Saffrey revealed that the society’s Cross Road Project would be launched in late January next year. He said the anticipated project included two houses to be used to rehabilitate vagrants and homeless people.
He explained that the society hosted the Love Day activities to spread Christmas cheer.
“We are out here spreading some love, cheers and blessings to the people in the Park, vagrants, and homeless . . . .
“We are offering counselling sessions, giving out free medical treatment and food. Last year, things were not as orderly as this year because of the way things were being done.
“This year they must be counselled first, [then] see if they want any of the clothes and then come for the food,” Saffrey said.
