The Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) has been faced with a myriad of problems at its operational sites and facilities; especially visitor harassment and soliciting. In an effort to curtail these issues, the organization partnered with various stakeholders within the community.
Operations Manager, Lester Cazaubon articulated “The organization has been concerned with the situation of breach of protocols and tourist harassment on our jetties specifically committed by minors. We realize that it is a sensitive issue. The reality is we do have recourse in managing the situation on a legal perspective but we felt that there was a deeper approach that needed to be employed.”
On Wednesday 8th, September, 2021, a meeting was held at the St Isidore’s Hall with the Soufriere Police, Social Services, St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) and parents of the minors involved. The meeting was geared at offering sustainable solutions in managing the situation with the focus aimed at developing tools and capacity enhancement for effective parenting.
Social Worker, Stephen Edward, is thrilled with the outcome of the meeting. “I have been to the jetties. I have tried my best to meet with the parents and develop a parenting program but there is no interest. It is my hope that the parents will attend these upcoming programs to enrich themselves in acquiring skills to help their boys.”
The SRDF will look to form a steering committee with resource personnel from the community to formulate a framework that adequately addresses the seriocomic challenges that meet both the parents and minors involved in the infractions.
The organization is committed to safeguarding the well-being of visitors and local patrons alike. On Tuesday, the Wardens and Security renewed their oath as Special Police Constables with Powers of Arrest.
The Soufriere Foundation is a not for profit organisation located in Soufriere. Its mandate is to undertake social, economic, cultural and other sustainable developments in the Soufriere region. The organization which was established in 1993 generates revenues from its operational sites: the Sulphur Springs Park, Gros Piton Nature Trail, Comfort Centre, Soufriere jetties and 88.5 Soufriere FM.
