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Homeless youths forced out by police from Purcell Community Centre

Several homeless young men were kicked out of the Christiana and Gertrude Warner Community center located in Purcell Estate on the main island of Tortola on January 4, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
The police raid on the Gertrude and Christiana Warner Community Centre came after weeks of complaints from neighbors and the Social Development Department. Photo: Team of Reporters
The police raid on the Gertrude and Christiana Warner Community Centre came after weeks of complaints from neighbors and the Social Development Department. Photo: Team of Reporters
PURCELL ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 the Purcell and Free Bottom communities were severely affected with many houses, some of them wooden, were flattened.

Some homeless residents took refuge in the Gertrude and Christiana Warner Community Centre located in Purcell Estate on the main island of Tortola. Many of the residents have since moved out; however, there were a few young residents left at the centre.

After weeks of complaints from neighbours and the Social Development Department, it our newsroom's understanding that the Police conducted a raid of the facility yesterday morning January 4, 2018.

They forced all the young persons out and also reportedly found a large bag of marijuana. After the raid police when back last evening to ensure the young men did not return to the centre.

It’s unclear where the homeless youths will be living now after the raid. Police were fully armed, with up to 10 police officers conducting the operations.

Police Harassments?

Many young people in the Sixth District, particularly in the Purcell, Baughers Bay, Free Bottom, Belle Vue and Johnson Ghut areas, have long complained about police harassment and, before the hurricanes, the regular stop and search around the Purcell basketball court for cannabis.

It is unclear what role the Social Development Department played as they were also on hand during the police raid to clear out the young men from the community center.

Sixth District Representative and Acting Minister for Education and Culture Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines, when contacted, told our newsroom “yes I heard there was a raid….I certainly did not know it was taking place.”

25 Responses to “Homeless youths forced out by police from Purcell Community Centre”

  • one eye (05/01/2018, 11:32) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
    Police state?
  • z6ne 6 (05/01/2018, 11:44) Like (14) Dislike (27) Reply
    Because we have the baddest weed, guns, drugs and hottest rappers, because we always want to be seen and herd so the police see and heard us. Ps we need a Just strong representative.
    • gnazi (05/01/2018, 13:26) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      heard not herd
    • Yes (05/01/2018, 13:55) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply

      What a @#$% idiot!!! Baddest what? Try find a book and learn some damn sense.

    • yes (05/01/2018, 17:51) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      True you all want and need to be seen and HERD
      HERD because you view yourselves as the lowest of useless animals to be herded and eventually euthanized. That is the process in the New World Order for Black males . So very cooperative you are with the master plan.
    • You need HELP (05/01/2018, 18:26) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      @zo6e6, you are one stupid Mother$=#;÷r, . hottest rappers? Little boy blue, you are not ready for the rap game. No one wants to hear the S÷=t.You all are a bunch of jokes. With all that mouth, I am quite sure you dont know what 1+1equals or how to spell your own name.
    • clown (06/01/2018, 07:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lol
    • wow (06/01/2018, 13:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Listen to yourself and think hard before speaking! "WE" who we you talking about! Nonsense!
  • Common Sense (05/01/2018, 12:03) Like (26) Dislike (3) Reply
    None of those men have the intelligence or resources to bring in the amount of drugs yall trying to make appear is dem supplying. It's the same business men who yall glorify who own boats, own planes and who can pay an officer more than the government measly monthly salary to turn a blind eye. An officer can be offered for 1 night what government can pay in a whole year so stop the crap... think smart nuh.... security my backside......it's all fake
  • Belonger With A Broader Perspective (05/01/2018, 12:41) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's not a police state . It's either you seeking shelter or operating a trap house? You know 12 have weed on their agenda so move accordingly. That wasn't a smart move. Can't knock police for doing their job. You got to be quicker than that.
  • Garrotites (05/01/2018, 12:44) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who dem be. Who are their mothers fathers and relatives. Lock them up as vagrants and ship them out to their grannies aunties uncles cousins and extended families all ove, east west up north and down south. Plenty manual chores and day work is not in short supply so dem just useless and worthless eyesores..
  • don (05/01/2018, 13:32) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    Let my people go!
  • The truth D6 (05/01/2018, 13:35) Like (39) Dislike (2) Reply
    VINO , i am not too sure if you will print this but freedom of the press is paramount to any democratic state The press has a role to play since what is report could break or build a society thus, i it has to ensure that it publish the ttruth. Here it is. These "homeless youths" have been living in the Purcell Community Center for years. In fact and have contributed to the destruction of many physical destruction of the building including, appliances. These "homeless yourhs"had homes well.... up until Irma but choose to sit on the block whole day smoking weed and doing other illegal things. None of them are employ. Many people refused to use the Center for communal purpose due to fear of these "Homeless Youth". The thing is they are being empowered by certain "Powers" who instead of encouraging them to become productive, do the opposite. The Police have been call to the area time and time again to deal with many anti social behaviors including gun shots, drugs, fights etc. VINO you do not have to take my word for it but check out this for yourself. Some of these "homeless Youths" at least one of them has keys to a certain area, treating it like his personal home and no one could get the key. Please VINO this is 2018 let us encourage our youth to be productive citizens. We should not reward them when they are wrong it will only destroy them and this territory in the end. People are coming from all over the place findings jobs while our yourhs sit on the block and waste their lives away and then the Politicians up and down saying we giving expats the jobs.
    • Belonger With A Broader Perspective (05/01/2018, 17:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with your comment 100%. The only thing is for most of these youth I don't know what would take to motivate them to be productive. They have enablers mostly family (Mom, Dad, Granny, Papa) who give them everything and make it easy for them to reap from the seeds sown by the family. They don't see the point. Then there's that easy money that's flowing through the waters. Most of the youth can barely read and write but they know all about keys that don't lock doors.
  • home boy (05/01/2018, 14:37) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    D6 I totally agreed with every word you say. The youth in that area just sit on the block smoke marijuana and do whatever else and refused to work. This is happening in almost every village in Tortola, this is sad and is being encouraged by some politicians and others in society. It must stop before it is too late.
  • one eye (05/01/2018, 16:25) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Them smoke too much
  • NezRez (05/01/2018, 17:20) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why don't they gut the old hospital and make it low income housing for displaced people. Not for disruptive people to come mess it up, but for low income households. I don't know where they can house rowdy non working folks.
  • LazyAzz (05/01/2018, 17:57) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Deez niggas too lazy to wuk. Lots to be done, but not by these lazy azz niggas
    • Unbelievable (06/01/2018, 15:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      How did this comment come to be published? Just because some one has the right to free speech, doesn't 't mean their Hate speech deserves to be published.
  • Oma (06/01/2018, 00:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What that short lady with the bag doing?
  • poor we (06/01/2018, 08:47) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    I am sure it was a bunch of island men police officers pushing around locals again, this place is sick
  • @poor we (06/01/2018, 11:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I totally agree bunch of Island man Police but isn't it funny that unless locals are pushed around they do nothing but sit on the block on the block all day saying "poor we?
  • de silent one (06/01/2018, 19:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh Please! That place need raiding a long time ago. Those thugs took over that building and been conducting their illegal activities in open and with no regards to the neighbours or anybody. What is really happening with our young men in this country. And some people have the audacity to support them with their SHIT. We in the various communities need to stand up and take back these places from these thugs, like the STICKETT, and all of the street corners that they occupies. Its disgusting as to what the have becomes.


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