St. Maarten Private Eye

Took me ages to scan it all!

Mine has pictures! ha

Have you noticed the vagrant issue, with the guy who hangs out by Bush road? Neither side wants responsibility for him it seems. How shameful and immoral.

DJP

I often give this guy a dollar or two, or buy him a burger and drink. It's clear he was born the way he is. Very sad indeed.

Bob the builder

The Today newspaper even put in a photo of the guy yesterday with more from Commish Lou Lavy.

Lavy who is actually in charge of Social Affairs feels slapped in the face that the immigration and the Lt. Governor has not done anything yet through political channels. Lavy commented that the situation is of such a nature that is nothing was done by authorities then "the people need to find a solution to the problem".

The Commissioner of Social Affairs goes on to say he "will be involving the public in this regard to demand that who is supposed to deal with it deal with it."

The story on the vagrant is that he was born deformed and his family cast him out. Neither the French side nor Dutch side want to take responsibility for him. Oh what a compassionate island we are! Regardless of the things he does, like scaring and flashing, the guy is mentally handicapped, he has probably been shown little or no love or care in his life and it has also been noticed he is afraid of groups of boys when he sees some.

The question is, where would St. Maarten put him if he was a registered Dutch side citizen? I think Lou ought to put him somewhere safe because if anything happens to him now with the "people finding a solution" then the statements he has made could be seen as encouragement to do so.

The Oracle

I think the White and Yellow Cross are the people that look after handicapped people. I'm not sure with this guy, he probably needs specialized help before he could fit in there. I guess they could do what they do with Juveniles and put him in Point Blanche.
I think it's pretty sick that the Today put a photo of him.

The Daily Herald had two articles about poor Micheal Crawford and the two island governments refusing responsibility. Now it appears it is St. Kitt's problem but they keep sending him back on the same plane he arrives one. Perhaps they can both make a deal with some human smuggler to take him over there and dump him on a beach.

Read both articles here.

Another thing! It keeps getting repeated that this mentally and physically handicapped man is a drug addict. Is there any proof of this? Has anyone actually tried to help him at all in the past? Has a report been made on his condition and handicaps by qualified doctors and professionals?

I find this whole affair rather sickening!

(PS, I realise this thread started about the CRA and turned into one about Micheal Crawford. I will be making some changes in the coming days and will reorganise the community issues a little better. - Flipper)

Daily Herald Editorial

Social Education Programme
aims to equip youngsters
for labour market

DJP