Plans afoot to remove homeless from Justice Square in Kingston

 

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has announced plans to remove homeless individuals from Justice Square on King Street in downtown Kingston. 

 

This comes a month after a Court of Appeal judge raised issues regarding disturbances caused by homeless individuals and persons with mental health challenges in the vicinity of the courthouse. 

 

In July, the back of the newly renovated Court of Appeal building in downtown Kingston was damaged by fire overnight. 

 

Mr. McKenzie stated that he will consult with Justice Minister Delroy Chuck and the National Works Agency to explore ways to secure Justice Square.

 

"It's something that we would do because we cannot continue to allow deterioration. Millions of dollars have been spent to put in a new structure that has lift (sic) the quality of justice, and I am not prepared to allow a few persons, some under the disguise of street people and some who are criminals, to derail the progress that has been made in that area," he declared, committing that as soon as possible, the government will "move to provide the funds and to commence the repairs and works that are necessary to take them off the street". 

 

He was addressing the homeless population at Mary Atkins Night Shelter on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston on Wednesday morning.

 

In the meantime, Mr. McKenzie urged them to avoid drug use. 

 

"Those of you who ah touch the drugs, leave it alone. Seek help. If you have a drugs problem, tell the officers; we will find help for you. Those of you who have to go to Bellevue, once we find you and we have done the assessment, you will go to Bellevue. Argument done."