Has TT lost its pride?

THE EDITOR: Please allow me to voice my opinion about the vagrancy problem in this country. I remember when the NAR government came into power they decided to handle the situation in 90 days time. In March 1987, when the time was up, it was changed to the end of the year and that was the end of the story. Now it seems as if it is a very grave and difficult situation to curb. Many complaints have been made concerning violence by vagrants against pedestrians. It is embarrassing and disheartening to see so many people sleeping in cardboard boxes, all over the capital night and day. Has TT lost all pride and conscience? The city now smells very offensive.

These homeless people are not solely responsible for the offensive smell. On many occasions I have seen well dressed people of both sexes urinating in public. This bad habit is a national disgrace. The vagrants occupy the squares around Port-of-Spain which also include children and they are causing a health problem. Accommodating them in some rural or isolated place may work well once they are out of the city. They also go into hiding when they realise they are being picked up off the streets. So the Mayor of Port-of-Spain and the Government have to study the situation carefully and even try to minimise the vagrancy problem because it is spreading like wild vine.

A R JORDAN
Manzanilla