McKenzie condemns attack on homeless man in St Mary, urges public help

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has condemned the attack on an elderly homeless man in Port Maria, St Mary, and urged the public to assist police in identifying those responsible.

According to the minister, Leslie was attacked and robbed by two men in the early hours of April 1 near the Port Maria Market.

“He is well known in the area, as he helps vendors who use the market, who occasionally pay him for his services. It is apparent that Leslie’s assailants had observed his habits and patterns for some time, and saw him, a homeless individual who is nearly 70 years old, as a convenient target," McKenzie said in a statement on Thursday. "While I am outraged about this attack, which caused him to be taken first to the Port Maria Hospital and then to be transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital, I am also relieved that he is now in stable condition.”

McKenzie said he is appealing to members of the homeless community to make use of available shelters.

“I am making some specific appeals in light of this incident. Firstly, I am urging the members of our homeless community to use the drop-in centres and Night Shelters which are secure places in which food, medical services and sanitary services are provided daily. In every case in which homeless persons have been attacked over the last few years, including this one, the victims disregarded the pleadings of the staff of the centres and shelters to stay on the compound overnight.”

He also called for an end to attacks targeting vulnerable individuals and urged the public to assist law enforcement.

“I am appealing for these callous, predatory attacks on homeless people to stop! These are expressions of wickedness on vulnerable people, and all Jamaicans of sound conscience must not only denounce these actions, but tell the police all they know so that a national message is sent: If you attack the homeless, there is no safe space for you. You will be pointed out and face the courts and prison. … I know the police are investigating this incident, and I am confident that they will find and charge the offenders.”

The minister said he is also asking for "a significant shift in public attitudes, from general indifference to consistent concern about the safety of our homeless people".

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