Maybe I am a little biased. As Mayor of Hamilton, I like to think of our city as being, besides the political capital, the economic hub of the island — even its social centre as well. Hamilton is the island’s main attraction. The contribution to government coffers by the ratepayers of the city is second to none: payroll taxes, social insurance, import duties, corporation fees, land tax, stamp duties, foreign exchange tax — the list goes on.

This broad flow of revenue is to assist the Government in funding its programmes, not only assisting in the continuing growth of the economy but the enhancement of our island through education and social programmes. There is also a role to protect those who are challenged by our changing ways, the demands a modern technological world place on us, or simply the complexity of life itself. It would seem too often society’s safety nets help many from hitting bottom but have no life-altering influence on those who have already fallen that far.

Families are challenged by relatives facing addictions, alcoholism and social or mental problems. Many times the patience of the family is tragically broken and these individuals have to fend on their own without getting the support we would expect for ourselves.

It has been a concern of many for too long that this square quarter-mile called Hamilton also attracts a number of individuals harassing locals and visitors alike. Whether it be a carwasher ranting murderous threats at someone for no reason, a panhandler aggressively badgering a tourist, the all too common, sordid souvenir left by someone defecating on a front step during the night, or those squatting in the public parks, rain or shine.

Given that the city has no police force, that the employees of the city have no power of arrest, we are reliant on others to police our city streets. The same applies for social services and welfare. One recent example of the island’s problem happened when a certain infamous vagrant was arrested for exposing himself in public and urinating on the red mailbox on the corner of Front Street and Burnaby Street at 1pm last Thursday. How closer to the epicentre of the city could you go? How closer to the busiest time of day for the city? What utter contempt was being shown to every Bermudian, resident and visitor with this public exhibition of the most private of bodily functions?

Yet the next morning, I am told this gentleman was released to harass the public once again after having received a simple warning from his court appearance. Even the Gazette was dulled into silence. It would seem that we are a community of no consequences.

I understand crimes such as this are seen as more social than criminal, yet there would appear to be no effort to rehabilitate this individual just as much as there is no attempt to protect the community from his actions. Would not an appearance in front of the recently established Mental Health Court lead to a better resolution than a few words of caution across a magistrate’s bench?

I am loath to bring our re-emerging tourism or the needs of international business into persuading a particular course of action. It is sufficient enough to simply state that my fellow Bermudians deserve better than having to put up with this affront on a daily basis. I also believe the person creating the affront is worthy of being helped out of their situation. If we do it right for Bermuda, the benefits will be felt throughout.

I am solutions-minded. It is mandatory to establish how success is measured to frame suitable actions. But today I confess to frustration. Exceptional results deserve exceptional actions; not a generation or two of “same old, same old”.

It is not a simple city issue but one that severely has an effect on the entire island, and for that reason I strongly suggest a new public philanthropic partnership, a cross-ministry charity task force. This would consist of such ministries as social services, health, works and engineering, the police, the courts, Salvation Army and other charities who have ownership in this arena, plus the Corporation of Hamilton to create a proper support programme, one with consequences.

This programme has to be under the leadership of government — the previous Corporation Council tried in good faith to address this issue but lacked the authority to press for meaningful involvement from all parties, let alone action — chaired by a senior minister, with participation by a senior member of the Opposition. They make the rules, they set the priorities, they live by protocol. Without a high level of commitment on both sides, the problem will never be fully addressed.

I hope this suggestion is taken on board. Yes, we want our visitors to have a truly beautiful Bermuda experience, but we will deliver on that at the same moment we provide for our fellow Bermudians.

•Charles Gosling is the Mayor of Hamilton