Can you arrest vagrants for littering?

Dear Sir, litter wardens have now been placed on the streets of Port-of-Spain, and they have the power to make arrests.

This venture is a joint collaboration with the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment and the City Corporation. But what are their main functions, their main duties and who can be prosecuted?

The streets of Port-of-Spain have become filthy and unclean. Who is responsible for littering the city streets? Now if a homeless/vagrant is seen scattering garbage, do these litter wardens have the power to arrest the homeless/vagrants?

Are they going to be on the streets 24/07/365 days a year?

When a person is prosecuted what steps will be taken when the person is arrested, and what will be the charge? The plan of having litter wardens on the city streets is a very good idea, and I hope the offenders will feel the full brunt of the law.

Another issue Mr Mayor, for the yuletide season, will vending be allowed on the city streets? As the law states, vending is illegal on the streets. Are there plans to relocate these vendors? Vendors have not responded to the plea of relocating to Woodford Square.

Their greatest fear of relocating to Woodford Square is that shoppers will not leave downtown to come to the square. What provisions have been put in place to accommodate vendors on the city streets?

Christmas is just a mere six weeks away and already vendors will be cashing in on early bargains, so what or who is to stop them?

Every year the problem of vending on the city streets becomes a contentious issue. Vendors are seen playing the "cat and mouse" game with police officers. Will the police have the authority to arrest citizens vending on the streets? Only time will tell.

KEN SMITH

Woodbrook