Man reportedly living in booth at Road Town festival grounds
A resident has received intense public backlash after he attempted to expose another man who had allegedly taken up residence in a concrete structure at the festival grounds in Road Town.
It is not immediately clear how long the person has occupied the space, which traditionally houses the ticket booth for events held at the festival village, or whether he was granted official permission to reside in the air-conditioned unit.
Images and videos shared on social media show what appears to be the makeshift dwelling place of someone occupying the space — just a stone’s throw away from the office of the House of Assembly. The videos show various household items such as a mattress, which was on the floor, a mop, food items, water bottles and several boxes.
“I was out as usual at the festival grounds for my Learn to Cycle programme and a certain activity caught my attention, which begs me to ask how much does a studio apartment at the festival grounds cost?” the resident wrote in a Facebook post.
He continued: “I know times are hard but this appears to be an able body (sic), mentally sound person, who works. He even has a key to secure the premises and his belongings.”
The post, which drew dozens of responses, saw many persons accusing the man who filmed and posted the issue on Facebook of invading the other man’s privacy and blasting him for not minding his own business. The poster also drew criticism for trying to shame the occupant at the ticket booth.
One of the videos showed the poster furiously turning the doorknob of the ticket booth in an unsuccessful bid to open the makeshift dwelling, while others showed him attempting to get various angles of the inside of the unit.
However, the man defended his actions, claiming that he was a tax-paying citizen and that the alleged squatter was committing criminal trespass by occupying the booth.
Some residents suggested that the Facebook poster should have quietly taken his complaint to the authorities where he could have addressed the matter discreetly.
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IF HE IS NOT FROM THE BVI IT HAVE PLANES FLYING TO HIS COUNTRY
Just stupid
The person may have a key yes BUT it’s not that it was given to him.
THINK! He could have changed the lock and put in a new one thereby having a key.
NO I am NOT for humiliating the person either.
Is this how the bvi is housing illegals?
That’s amazing. Where does he receive house guests?
There’s no room for a parlour. I think a terrace and some
basic pool furniture would also help.
Typical local racist comment
IS THIS WHAT TAXPAYERS MONEY IS FUNDING? HE NEED TO GO TO THE SANDY LANE OR RAINBOW HOME IF HE DOESN’T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE…..AYO TOO LIKE TO SWEEP THINGS UNDER THE RUG
Will the Government give him a room at the Jose Hill Manor Estate?
The problem was the exposure on FACEBOOK! The public insisted that he should have do the right thing by taking it to the relevant authorities not that they sided the man living there. To be publically humiliated was uncalled for! He was encouraged to go to the police and Ministry of Health. If we are being for real, his girl friend is an officer and I am sure she would have been happy to help. The post was a mere tactic to shame!
All of you, including news sites are really horrible. Do you all have the same energy for a homeless and hungry person. There was a local gentleman living on the same festival ground in his car for over a year, no one complained about it or highlighted it. I do not care where the person is from. He is a human being. if the photographer was genuinely interested in anything other than his taxes, he could have shown some level of humanity. But boss, today for that homeless person and tomorrow will be for you. Be careful the natural law do not hit you when you turn around. Set of horrible people who cry out that this is a christian society. Which Christ do youall serve?
That man don’t pay taxes here…You need a job for that…he doesn’t have one. The homeless bashing the homeless. If his woman throw him out today he will wish someone gave him a key to the Festival Grounds Booth. He should go look in the mirror before he talk about people.
Fat Hogs Bay talking –B did get thrown out by C and a good Samaritan took him in and offered him a place to stay for some months FREE OF CHARGE!! Thank God that the Government of this Territory didn’t had to step in!
Good Samaritan my behind! …
The Government need to send p**e back to st vincent
THE BVI IS FAST BECOMING A DUMPING GROUND FOR THE POOR…WE HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN CARS, ON THE SOFTBALL FIELD, IN THE GHUT BY HIGH SCHOOL, IN BATHROOMS ALL OVER THE ISLAND, IN THE MARKET, PROSPECT REEF, CULTURAL CENTER AND NOW ALL OVER THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS
its natures little secret…
nobody want to touch the topic that rent is ridiculous here. Government don’t care to address nothing. They only care to give themself raise and pension package and make sure they themselves are ok.
The whistleblower is also homeless clinging to his woman for shelter among other things. The whistleblower has no job so does nothing to contribute to the house in which he lives. When you live in a glasshouse, don’t throw stones. Times are hard. The young man was trusted enough to be given a key where he may have a safe place to rest at night while he tries to catch himself. But I see as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. It is sad when someone tries to help those who are less fortunate only for people like Barry to turn it into something negative.
anyone who uses the festival ground for any business should paid to do so.
Yes they should including the churches who don’t clean the place up after themselves
BJ , you need to humble yourself. When .. . You needed a place to stay, you stayed for free with Philip help east end n way with a bicycle. Don’t come bashing people!!!! Go back where u come from.
Why shame this person . Isn’t this the same man allegedly talking badly about his ex wife . So why would he do differently for a stranger. Offer some help and shut up . Sickening A
Meanwhile we on the eastern side suffering for water. Be angry about this too.
Some people only know about the $$$ bills in god we trust.
That the god they talking about not the God above shame on us.
Do good and good will follow you.
Times are very hard and the super market make it so too. rent and so on. I remember when I use to go to the market will $20.00 and came out with four bags with food stuff now you carry $100 in god we trust bill and you can’t see what you buy shame on us who god we trust?
How the f*** this could happen,we does let them come from where and just get relax and comfortable here!! Boss get the f**k out!!!
What tax is he talking about best move to Iceland where he will get the most value for his taxes after they take his pay. Seems like communism is right up his alley North Korea should be more favorable.
This is the Caribbean don’t come here being uptight.
Help a man out not make him feel the world is against him.
But from the comments this was to be jealousy. Jealous this guy has a small space meanwhile he has no space for himself.
More & more people are becoming nasty on their high horse and need a reality check. This is not the place to cause suffering for no reason, there was enough of that during slavery now we are free things should be different on principle.
Do anything in lawless bvi. You all better fix that.
One live in the rest room in positive action park.A Santo Brlonger in fact.
Thank You Thank You Facebook Poster…see Something. SAY something…escaped prisoners are hiding in plain sight ,known murderers also burglars thieves. But with the assist of no-good populace neighbors and frenemies our lives our living has become a fools paradise.. untrustworthy pieces of humanity grinning in our faces.
We need to start social housing. I have seen in other countries how containers are fitted with bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, and we have enough containers here. I don’t think it’s the best answer but it is the fastest and cheapest and any port in a storm is better than living in a car during hurricane season.
Put him on a plane and send him to his country where help is his by right,
We do not need another hand to mouth foreigner and that is an understanding workd wide j
I All countries world wide.
Importing and installing damaged goods is the problem.
Importing and installing those with nothing to give in exchange is a recipe f
for disaster and these VI fast becoming a human dung heap in alignment with the Caribbean chain of failures.
He committed a crime Who is this criminal and why is his identity and photo a secret
What message is sending to the already bold faced updeislun burglars,thieves and drifters.
Daily you could count on these empty handed nuisance of humanity contributing to instability and upheaval in one way or another.
Can you please have a second thought, this is not good, its horrible to be exposing a human being who is trying to survive, before the spectator tried to render assistance, he using his phone and putting it viral on social media to gain attention to entertain others.Humanity is sooo less recognized & its so sad. To the reporter, you HAPPY NOW?? Wow!!..you should be ashamed of yourself..in this world which we live in is only for the rich & famous…if you’re poor,there is no place for you..the good news is: God is our hope & he will surely make a way for that man. For the reporter, your day is coming, for today for me, tomorrow for you!!!