Newly elected San Fernando mayor Robert Parris has assured that the city corporation is working on a plan to tackle homelessness in the southern city, which has become a safety issue.
Parris made the comment after presiding over his first Statutory Meeting with the new council of the San Fernando City Corporation yesterday.
He said he reminded council members that the election is over and he expects them to work in unity and deliver to their burgesses.
“What I reiterated to members of the council, as I stated in my inaugural speech, elections (Local Government) are over. Your job is to go and work in your electoral districts. The electoral districts require a lot of attention. Thus far, I have been working with all the members of council,” Parris said.
He noted that addressing the issue of the socially displaced on Harris Promenade is one of his top priorities, but added that people continue to feed street dwellers at that location and it is causing a serious problem.
Saying he has the backing of the business community, he said they have a plan for the promenade.
However, he urged members of the public to distribute food at the homeless shelter at King’s Wharf or Court Shamrock.
“It is creating a safety issue for the children in the schools. Last year, we had someone run into San Fernando Boys’ RC School. I spoke to the principal. It is of paramount concern to me,” Parris said.
He said he also intends to speak to the Port-of-Spain mayor about their initiatives to deal with the socially displaced and mirror their good work.