Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams on Monday (March 29) continues to take Television Jamaica (TVJ) to task for a report which claimed that officials within the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) neglected homeless persons during the just-concluded weekend lockdown.

The report, which aired during the Prime Time News segment on Sunday, seemingly questioned the corporation’s effectiveness in feeding the homeless population in Kingston. The KSAMC and Mayor Williams, in a statement earlier today, however, dismissed the report, adding that at no time was the municipal corporation contacted.

The KSAMC argued that for the record, it operates a soup kitchen and serves two daily meals (breakfast and dinner) amounting to approximately 1,200 meals per day.

“Last weekend was no different as meals were prepared and served by staff members and volunteers from several church organizations to hundreds of homeless persons,” the governing city body added.

“The KSAMC has, under this administration, placed priority to the care for vulnerable groups. We have ensured daily meals, additional shelters and programmes to assist in their care and nutrition. We are most disappointed by the news report and the misinformation it has released into the public”, Mayor Williams further noted.

According to Senator Williams, KSAMC staff, along with volunteers included the Bethel Baptist Church in Half Way Tree, went out on the lockdown weekend to prepare meals and served over 500 homeless persons across the municipality.

“[The] Poor Relief staff and several volunteers were quite
disappointed to hear that TVJ news had suggested that homeless persons were not fed. At least one person from the newscast was identified as being someone who was fed over the weekend according to the KSAMC,” the statement continued.

Mayor Williams, in his response, requested that the KSAMC’s position on this matter be carried as prominently as the original broadcast last evening.

In a surprise twist this afternoon, TVJ seemed to double-down on the mistake, responding directly to the KSAMC on Twitter.

“TVJ News notes statements made by the KSAMC that we made no effort to reach them for a response prior to the airing our story on the homeless not being fed. We reported first-hand accounts from homeless people. Several attempts were made to reach them without success,” the company replied.

Mayor Williams wasted little time and reminded TVJ of its responsibility to fairness and accuracy to the Jamaican people. He also illuminated the reality of the many homeless people who navigate challenges that directly threaten their survival in the streets of Kingston.

“Firstly, On ANY given day, you can find homeless persons stating that they have not eaten/were not fed. That doesn’t equate to the [KSAMC]
not continuing its feeding programs or nothing being implemented. I will also like to ask how efforts were made to reach us on Sunday,” he began.

“We have confirmed that at least one of the persons interviewed did receive meals on the day. Additionally, these persons have had to fend for themselves and live in a state of insecurity as it relates to food,” Mayor Williams asserted.

“Being asked if they have eaten, they will most often say no in anticipation of assistance. Unless there was a rush, I believe that getting commentary from the authorities would have been prudent. Finally, We ask that next time, the news-team visits any of our shelters or approved feeding locations and collect their own data/facts,” the KSAMC chairman added.