able to wander through the City.

Since rangers began regular park patrols last autumn, more than 10 people have been found living in dilapidated buildings and wooded areas in the West End.

At Hog Bay Park, first-time visitors need only follow the empty beer bottles lining the well-worn path leading to one site.

The strong smell of urine mixed with faeces permeates the air, while dirty laundry and vodka bottles fill the room.

Although the door is locked, entry may be gained through a large window covered with an old blind. Three other windows are boarded shut and lizards and flies freely move through the lodging.

At a second `campsite', a fire kept alive with rags is used to provide warmth, while a mirror is propped among tree branches to provide a touch of home. As with the first site, piles of vodka bottles are strewn about.

"West Whale Bay Fort is the biggest problem,'' said Mr. Bill Cook, assistant director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Parks. "We have to hit there every day.

It's the actual room where the soldiers used to sleep so it's enclosed and it doesn't leak.

"We're really concerned about the fort because the sanitary conditions aren't good. It took us a couple of months to move the people out as they would just move back at night or when we left.'' Wanderers are more likely to be caught by Police in Hamilton after which they could face charges of wandering abroad and a fine or prison sentence.

Last year, a special Government committee revealed at least 250 people were homeless or semi-homeless, with the Island's resources incapable of handling all their needs.

A report by the Committee on Homelessness, concluded that Island-wide social and economic conditions and limited social assistance was adding to the numbers and keeping them this way.

"We worked with the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the Department of Health & Social Services on the project, checking at least once a week,'' Mr. Cook said. "We've found close to a dozen. If a child is involved we get hold of the appropriate foster care or try and place them with a suitable family member. If there are adults we try and get them to leave.

"Some get angry because we bring social workers with us. Others give us a hard time. They think as they've been doing this for a while they should be able to stay as long as they want.

"We have some young Bermudians as rangers that help us out and do a great job with them.'' Mr. Cook said the rangers have found all different ages taking up residence in such areas as Happy Valley Park and the Ducking Stool on North Shore across from Government House.

He added that although no damage has been done by `campers' they tend to frighten away day-time users.

"Some people just like the nomadic system and have been wandering from place to place for years,'' he said. "The younger ones have usually lost their job or it's a substance abuse problem. With the older ones it's just their lifestyle.

"Sometimes they turn to Salvation Army, other times they move in with family members or go to another place that isn't parkland.'' NOWHERE ELSE TO GO -- One of the many campsites at the Island's western end that homeless people call `home'.

HAVEN FOR WHOME? -- This dilapidated building at Hog Bay Park in Sandys is used as shelter by people who have no home to call their own. Lizards and flies stream in and out of the abandoned building and there is a strong smell of urine.