Homeless take up residence at KPH

Several persons have taken up residence on the grounds of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) sleeping at nights on the cold concrete benches and rugged pathways.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the hospital this week, persons thought to be homeless were observed on various sections of the premises, which has now become an eyesore, much to the dismay of users of the institution.

Some leave during the daytime, and by dusk, return with blankets, and makeshift cardboard beds to turn in for the night.

Inspector Paul Palmer, who is attached to the Denham Town Police Station, informed our news team that issue has become a major annoyance.

"It is being overrun by persons who have no visible means of subsistence," said Palmer, who was on duty at the hospital's police post at the time of the interview. "They are not workers, they just appear at a certain time of the night."

The senior officer added that there are also some persons who occupy the waiting area outside the hospital.

The cop said that the presence of vagrants on the hospital compound poses a serious threat to security.

"When a police officer takes up duty anywhere, the first thing he must to do is to have his surroundings sterile," the senior officer explained.

"This is so that we are better able to function in the event of any unusual occurrences. There are also persons who use that area to carry out criminal activity in the sense that they observe persons inside the compound, and as they leave they rob them at the gate. We are looking for all of these things and to minimise it," he added.

Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie, was made aware of the increasing problem at the hospital by way of our news team, but vowed to make steps to alleviate the problem.

"I am not aware of it, but the hospital has 24-hour security," he began.

"I find that rather strange if the management of the hospital could allow the situation to deteriorate to the extent that it has. I will certainly speak the administrator of the hospital," said McKenzie, who is also the Member of Parliament for West Kingston.

Acknowledging that persons living on the streets of Kingston is a problem, McKenzie said the hospital should not suffer the same fate if the security personnel are doing their jobs.

The minister said he will be making contact the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the Poor Relief Department to remove the presumably destitute persons from the hospital's grounds and help them find shelter.

Efforts to get a response from South East Regional Health Authority have so far been unsuccessful.