Vagrancy – A Serious Social Problem

Vagrancy is a serious social problem in many countries. It is troubling to the families and friends of the unfortunate social drop-outs, a bother to other citizens and a severe threat to the tourism industry in countries whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism. The following extract provides some insight into this problem.

Extract from the story ‘Jessie’ in the book ‘Four Strong Women’ by Joyette H Fabien
Jessie took the road leading to Subway, the fast food restaurant on Freedom Street. As she reached the intersection of Freedom Street and George Avenue she heard someone calling loudly, “Miss Charles, Miss Charles…” Jessie knew that voice! The owner of the voice seemed to be rushing in her direction. It was a parro (drug addict) from her community who had made his home in the city. He always called her Miss Charles or Sister Charles. Apparently, every time he saw her, he saw a dollar and so he always sounded incredibly happy to see her. Instinctively, Jessie recoiled. Not today Randy, she thought. Right now you probably better off than me.

“Sister Charles, Sister Charles…,” the parro was saying as he hurried toward her. “You have anything I can carry for you today? Just twenty five cents, fifty cents, a dollar for me to eat a lunch. I really hungry, Sister. You does always give generously.”

“Boy, I tired tell you I’m not your sister and me and you not in same church either. Now leave me alone! You seeing I have any load to carry? And you better doe follow me either because you and I not going anywhere together.”

“Alas, just twenty five cents, Miss Charles. Anything is good. God will bless you, never mind if it small. I really hungry. Just a bread and a soft drink please. I …”

“That is the problem with all you people you know,” Jessie interjected crossly. Anytime a person help all you once is like all you become their responsibility permanently. They cannot pass on the street in peace anymore. They say Dominica has over seventy thousand people, but every time you see me you need breakfast, lunch or supper!”

She continued on her way grumbling as the parro, realizing that this was not his lucky day, made a bee line for another victim. If only he would put his talents to more positive use, Jessie thought. With his persistence and smooth talking about twenty five cents, fifty cents, dollar, just a little dinner, he could probably have made a good sales person or something of that nature. She wondered what had caused him to go down the drug road.

Some of these vagrants were quite educated persons who had fallen prey to drugs or were victims of some sort of adversity in life. Take for instance, this woman called Glory in Jessie’s community. Even as a vagrant she was quite pretty and she spoke very correct English. One could tell that she was once a beautiful young woman whom guys would have been falling over themselves for and judging from her cultured speech, she must be quite educated too. She had an aloofness which in better circumstances would have been described as sophistication. Yet something had caused her downfall; something had caused her to turn to drugs. Her children had all been taken away by the state and placed in foster homes. It was very sad. That could easily have been my fate had it not been for my dear mother, thought Jessie as she hurried along.

The problem of vagrants in the city was a matter of increasing concern. While some of them were quite humble, there were a few very rude ones who would quickly forget the many times you had helped them in the past and pour out verbal abuse on you the one time you refused to do so. The humanitarian groups sometimes did a soup kitchen on weekends to provide them with a hot meal. They discouraged people from giving money to vagrants and advised instead that you either bought the food for them or donated the money to an organization involved in assisting them.

These vagrants were all over the city; on doorsteps, sidewalks, bus stops; everywhere. Sometimes they slept in entrances to business places creating a problem for the business owners. The tourism department saw them as a potential threat to the industry especially during the cruise season for apart from harassing the locals, they were a source of constant annoyance to the tourists who came in on the cruise liners. On occasion, they had been known to assault tourists who had refused to give them money. The authorities were yet to come up with a solution to this problem.