THE open space at the St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston is being used as a public toilet, with people not only urinating, but going as far as defecating in the area despite amenities being provided for that purpose for visitors to the park.

According to Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby, this act is not only being carried out by the homeless community or people of unsound mind, but regular citizens as well.

Swaby told a press conference at the downtown Kingston offices of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on Thursday that this foul practice is an issue the entity has been working to address through ongoing clean-up efforts under its Cleaner Kingston Initiative.

“St William Grant Park and the perimeter areas around the park have been a major focus of our clean-up efforts, primarily due to the ongoing issue of the unpleasant smell of human waste in the area. We have increased the cleaning schedule to three times per week, where we sanitise and disinfect around the park. Additionally, we have also extended the opening hours for the bathrooms so they’re available for longer periods to be used by the public,” he said.

Speaking to the matter of the homeless community in the area, Mayor Swaby said the municipality is looking at ways to get them off the street, but noted that this would not be an easy task, even as it is ensured their rights are recognised.

“I will not be one to try and force these people off [the street] because there are some times when the public make the criticism and they are not conscious of how delicate these matters are. And if you should go in a way they probably would want to push it to go and when you do that, it becomes a problem and a political issue,” he said.

Swaby also made a strong appeal for users of the park to exercise personal responsibility and respect for others by utilising the restroom facilities that have been provided for their convenience.

“Choosing to use these facilities instead of the open spaces not only keeps inside and around the park clean but also ensures it remains a safe and pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy. Let us all take pride in this shared space and work together to keep it welcoming,” he said.

Turning to the Nelson Mandela Park in Half-Way-Tree, Swaby said the KSAMC will be implementing measures to address the ongoing rat infestation that has become a concern in the area

“It is important to note that this issue of rat infestation is not limited to vendors activities alone. It also involves how businesses and the general public dispose of garbage and other waste. Everyone must take responsibility for keeping the area clean. Improper waste disposal and littering contribute to the rat and other rodent infestation, and it is a problem we can only solve together.

“We ask all business owners, vendors, and members of the public to properly dispose of waste and be mindful of how we manage garbage in this busy area. By doing so, we can create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all users,” he said.