THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE DIRECTORS of the Jamaica Automobile Association note with alarm, the increasing number of persons begging on the streets. These persons are strategically placed at almost every traffic light in the Corporate Area where they harass motorists for money. We firmly believe that the growing number of street beggars is caused by the generosity of motorists.
The beggars come in all shapes and age groups. Many are teenagers who ought to be in school. Others are sent out by their parents to beg on the streets. Some beggars are drug addicts who depend on the generosity of the motorists to fund their drug habits. Some are street people who are mentally challenged because of drug abuse and natural causes.
Children who are drop-outs from schools stay on the streets and beg. Many of them will become useless adult members of the society because they are under-educated and they will not be able to cope in an increasingly competitive world.
They will either become life-long beggars or criminals. Some sell and/or abuse drugs and others sell their bodies to willing buyers. Deviants, under the guise of giving assistance, also sexually abuse some of the street boys.
Instead of giving money to street children, we should encourage them to enrol in programmes operated by the Y.M.C.A., and various church and voluntary groups. The children should be encouraged to enrol in the Government programme called 'Operation Possibility', where children are taught basic lessons and are given skills training.
The police should also be forced to take decisive action against street beggars. All children under the age of 18 who are found loitering on the streets during school hours, should be interrogated by specially trained truant officers. Social workers must visit with the parents of children who are found loitering on the streets. We, as members of a civil society, must insist that the Government pay closer attention to the well being of our nation's children. We must insist that greater emphasis be placed on the family planning programmes and in the teaching of parenting skills.
We know that it is very difficult to resist giving alms to the young boys with the angelic faces. Many motorists complain that when they don't give money to these boys, these angels are suddenly transformed into little devils and they hurl the most abusive expressions at them. Some beggars, young and old, will use sharp instruments to destroy the paintwork on your vehicles. Others damage windshield wipers and emblems.
Those persons with mental problems, who live on the streets, should be placed in mental institutions or drug rehabilitation centres. They should be forced to stay in these institutions until they are cured or rehabilitated.
If we really want to help these beggars and stem the growing number of street beggars, we must stop feeding them on the streets. The police and our political representatives must not be allowed to turn a blind eye to this growing problem. We can help by channelling our donations to organisations, especially geared towards the running of children's homes and shelters for the homeless.
We note also that in sections of India, where street begging had become a major problem, the police are now prosecuting motorists who give money to the street beggars. We are appealing to all motorists to stop giving alms to street beggars. Do the right thing and stem this growing problem of street beggars. The remedy is in our hands.
I am, etc.,
GARTH GIBSON
President
Jamaica Automobile
Association
