Recent stories on the problem of begging in Hamilton have sparked strong reactions from letter-writers. Here are two different views on the issue:

Work, not welfare

March 29, 2003

Dear Sir,

I read the article from Mrs. Jasen Moniz of Smith's Parish, on March 27 about how to stop panhandling in the city.

Well I work in the City and have seen some of these panhandlers and how they handle the tourists. They are terrifying and if you don't have it or give them a dollar they become demanding. Most of them in the city panhandling doing this to purchase drugs.

I watched Mr. Eugene (Jinx) Darrell on one his shifts and I was amazed how many people gave him money, but my question is when have you ever seen Mr. Darrell with a new set of clothes even a bag to indicate he attempted to get something to eat, and I am just using him as an example. There are a few more whose M.O. are the same.

As far as me knowing they are purchasing drugs I have finished work and on my way home have seen them making their transactions.

Suggested by Mrs. Moniz were vouchers. Well, as these vouchers are as good as money the drug dealers will accept them because they also buy food, clothing, shoes and even get haircuts.

So you think you have solved one problem but fed an even bigger one. I think instead of them begging they should go and get a job like most of us, even if they clean up people's yards for a few dollars. At least I could side with Mrs. Moniz and say on their behalf they begged for work.

BEG FOR WORK

City of Hamilton

Help the homeless

March 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

It is with a certain amount of disgust that I have read about the Corporation of Hamilton exploring the option of banning panhandlers from the city.

Sweeping dirt under the rug does not make it disappear; doing so just allows the dirt to become mold, and for the mold to become a far greater problem. Simply putting a band-aid over this problem will not work - the disease must be treated, not just the symptoms.

The standard of living here is higher than most nations in the world; Bermudians are known for their friendly and hospitable nature; religious ideals anchor the island's values. To me it would seem that the real problem is that there are homeless or poor people at all. Certainly there is no lack of wealth to care for this island's disadvantaged. Don't the religious ideals that so many people live by oblige them extend a helping hand to those in need?

I often hear the same weightless arguments over and over again regarding the poor. They don't want to be helped. They use the money for drugs. They're lazy. These statements are often unfair and only serve to mask our own guilt for not helping those so clearly in need. It doesn't take a psychiatrist to realise that most of the panhandlers in Bermuda are either mentally ill, substance-dependent, or both. Without outside assistance, the cycle continues, spiralling into further dependency. If the Tourism Department thinks that panhandlers are bad for business, wait until a visitor stumbles across the dead body of one of Bermuda's neglected.

Have we forgotten that these people are humans too? Do they not have the same rights, emotions, and needs as the rest of us? What needs to be done is to address the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty on this island paradise. Why have none of the programmes on the Island worked for these people? Why is there no support in place that works? Why have the mentally ill been become marginalised? When these problems have been successfully addressed, then perhaps the issue of aggressive panhandling won't exist.

What will sending them out of town do? Move them to St. George's? Then to Somerset? These humans are not going to magically disappear, but their problems can, if we help them.

Secretary Roger Sherratt's comments are offensive, incorrect, and typical of the stigmas attached to the disadvantaged. The real embarrassment is Mr. Sherratt and those who share the attitude that Bermuda should be more concerned with maintaining the facade of perfection for tourists rather than help its own people.

ANDY SMITH

Warwick