Turn windshield cleaners into service providers

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WHEN ARE we going to ever learn? The arresting and charging of windshield cleaners will not solve anything, and the only result will be the creation of a new set of criminals. The fact that some of them misbehave at times is not a reason to make criminals of them.

Rather than trying to arrest the problem, we must try and address the reasons they are at the intersections in the first place. I am no sociologist, but my experience in community activities over the years points to the fact that most of the windshield cleaners are there because of a lack of other employment opportunities. This is because our education and social system has failed to equip them with basic educational requirements which would enable them to contribute to society in a more meaningful way.

These windshield cleaners, even though many of us might not want to admit it, are providing a service, and just like many other service providers, they tend to get a little abrasive, abusive and obnoxious at times, but locking them up and fining them is not the answer. When they behave in this manner, then some form of regulation and training is required to correct the problem.

Trained for on-site service

The Jamaica Constabulary Force should engage the service of their Community, Safety and Security arm to quantify and identify these individuals wherever they are. Once this is complete, the next step should be to provide these persons with basic documents such as National Identification Cards, TRNs, and National Insurance Scheme numbers, then enrol them in a suitable training programme.

Some of the training they could be exposed to are:

1) Basic first-aid, so that they can assist accident victims until proper help arrives.

2) Introduction to auto mechanics to assist motorist who may break down at times where there is no other help available.

3) The formation of watch-groups to assist the police in lowering the crime level since, whether we accept it, they live on the streets, so they know what is happening and could assist programmes such as Ananda Alert.

4) Peer counselling, so they can be utilised to counsel other youths against joining them. Social workers could make what I would consider timely interventions.

Of course, just like anything else, even if we jail them, we will have to provide some form of monetary support to sustain a meaningful programme. Taking into consideration their current mode of earning and living, we could utilise their latent entrepreneurial spirit, along with training, to set up strategic car-care centres which would provide the income necessary to maintain the programme over an extended period.

The situation would be a win-win for all. The police will now have another group of people to assist them in their information gathering and, hopefully, our stoplights would be safer. Rather than making criminals out of them, turn them into service providers.

I am, etc.,

Howard Hamilton

Portmore Pines

St Catherine