... Police powerless

THE POLICE have pointed to what they call ‘legislative gaps’ for their inability to take action against persons who pretend to be disabled as they beg on the streets of Jamaica.

With allegations of several persons pretending to be disabled or using ruses as they beg, our news team tracked one man who operates in the vicinity of South Avenue and Waterloo Road in St Andrew, begging while pretending to be suffering from some serious disability.

The man, who gave his name as Ricardo Allen, contorts his hands and feet during peak hour traffic as he ambles up to motorists. But on leaving the location hours later, Allen can be seen walking normally and using his hands just fine.

“We have seen it (persons pretending to be disabled to get money) on the road, but we are aware of legislative challenges,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake, told The Sunday Gleaner. “Even with the windshield wipers, there are some legislative gaps there in terms of what we can charge them for, and we are aware of the public nuisance caused by these persons,” added Blake. Legal sources agreed with Blake that changes would have to be made to the legislation for Allen’s con to become a criminal offence.

According to the sources, the actions of these bogus beggars can be deemed an offence of moral turpitude, but it does not have all the characteristics to fall within the three most likely categories of criminal offences – attempting to pervert the course of justice, creating public mischief and obtaining money by means of false pretence.