We have done a poor job @ social development- Natalio D. Wheatley
Wheatley, speaking on the radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM on Wednesday November 2, 2016 said an overall poor job has been done in effectively dealing with socially ill persons in the territory.
The talk show host’s remarks came following calls by some sections of society for Government to take a stand to once and for all remove violent vagrants off the streets.
These concerns stemmed from a recent incident allegedly involving Sonnel G. Hanley, who had been arrested and charged for un-provokingly slapping a male tourist on September 18, 2016. From all accounts, it was not the ‘first strike’ for Hanley.
Not proactive
“I think we have done a poor job at social development, whether it is crime, whether socially ill people, we have done a poor job and we are waiting until tourists and residents are being assaulted. We need to get serious about social development,” he said.
Mr Wheatley also pointed out that these bad ratings are hurting the fragile tourism sector.
“It is not a good look for us on the international scene,” he lamented.
One woman who also voiced her displeasure on the matter back in October, Ms Marva U. Vanterpool, said the Government of the Virgin Islands needs to place the issue up for discussion.
“If a tourist should take this government to court it would be a sad thing but they would be well within their rights to do so because the government and the BVIHSA need to take certain actions,” she said. “That is not the first or the second time. I witnessed the incident at Bobby’s and there are other reports of this man slapping people,” said the concerned woman.
During the first quarter of 2013, the same Hanley was charged with common assault. Prior to that, in 2012 he was made to spend six months in jail for a similar offense which amounted to common assault.
14 Responses to “We have done a poor job @ social development- Natalio D. Wheatley”
Do you know that Community Mental Health-Behavioral Health Division, which is under BVI Health Services Authority-a statuatory board-deals and treat with mental health clients?
Do you know that Safe Haven provides housing to homeless persons, who agrees to reside and participate in treatment?
Do you know that Social Development Department do work in collaboration with these agencies in the best interest of their clients?
Do you know that Social Development Department provides assistance whether it is food, monies, daycare, housing for persons that apply?
I can speak of this because we tend to bash services and the work that Departments are doing and never tend to applaud them when they are doing good. Like our own household..we all have issues. Yes the Department can brush up on a lot of things, but we as a community, especially the churches and non-governemental agencies come together to address the social ills in our community.
Most often, you find non-profit organizations providing such services and the government offer assistance to these programs.
Let us lend a helping hand Mr. Wheatley!
Please Mr. Wheatley do your research before making such allegations.
It's a known fact there has been no focus given to the mentally ill here and there are many functional mentally ill here who go to work daily it's not just the vagrants. Most of us would never make it outside the BVI b/c we like to insult rather than address the elephants in the rooms.