The pink bib project in Gordon’s Bay has, since its inception about 18 months ago, been a success but not without its fair share of challenges.
Gordon’s Bay Residents Association chairperson, Edwina Hadfield, who also serves on the Gordon’s Bay CPF and Gordon’s Bay Neighbourhood Watch, clarified this week that they have not stopped the programme, despite a perception that it has been discontinued.
“There are still pink bibbers at the parking area (at the main beach), but there was a group who decided to break away and felt that they did not have to obey the rules that we worked under, and that they did not need a pink bib. After some heated words we decided to close the door for a period to see how this would play out in a two week period,” said Hadfield, and confirmed that the project is still operational. “We never stopped, those who wanted to leave the programme left and did their own thing. But there is a group of eight who are still pink bibbing. We had a meeting with them, and the group that left are more than happy to start over again, but it is a concern that the public consider all the bibbers to be untrustworthy as some have given the bibbers a bad name”.
The pink bib parking attendant project was started in Gordon’s Bay in November 2020 and was born out of the need to try and accommodate unemployed on the streets, to help them to get back into the world of work and to give them dignity, and possibly a chance to go back home (“Project aims to restore dignity,” DistrictMail, 10 December 2020).
Hadfield said that since the inception of the programme when they started with 45 pink bibbers, 17 have returned back to their homes, be it in Gustrow, Casablancha, Secor Park and Broadlands Park.She added that some of the biggest benefits of the programme was that they got to know who was homeless in the town, and residents got a chance to support people who wanted help. Asked if the project has so far had the desired impact in Gordon’s Bay, Hadfield replied that it definitely did.
“And it continues to have a positive impact. We have noticed that residents are not giving money to ‘illegal’ car guards. We have received fantastic support for the programme, from both residents and holiday makers alike”.
And what has been some of the challenges so far?
“The biggest challenge has been to get them to understand that being a bibber is like having a job, you need to be on your place for the period given, attention to details, and in some cases cleanliness was a challenge that we continually worked on. We know that most are on different substances.
“We worked with organisations who could help and we had one success where the person came off drugs within a six week programme and was soon employed in a temporary position.
“We know that although the challenges are there, we worked with each and everyone and supported them where we could. Drinking among a very small minority of the bibbers became a issue and still remains an issue, and their bibs have been removed”.
She said that the support of the public will always be the key to the success of the project.
“Support those in Pink Bibs, do not support any other colour bibs as they are the trouble makers. The more you give those who are not on the programme, the more you encourage them to stay in our town and this is where are crime comes from – do not support anybody who does not wear a pink bib.,” she urged.
According to Ward 100 Councillor Sean Stacey, the pink bibs is an amazing programme and has his full support.
He said that this project is great for several reasons, as it fosters trust between the community who frequently use the parking facilities and that of the parking attendants, the pink bibbers.
“This is because the community knows that they have been screened and monitored and that there is a database and roster of workers and their assigned areas. As such, if something were to happen, the person would be easily identified. This makes the community feel safer”.
He added that factors such as job opportunities, a chance to build their life back up and to earn and feel a sense of self pride and dignity were also important to note.
“The pink bibs has a wonderful initiative in which the workers are mandated to give a portion of their earnings into their own savings. This money is reserved solely for themselves but it teaches the pink-bibbers a sense of responsibility and future planning”.
“As a public servant, I am very supportive of social giving in its various forms such as donations and charity.
“However, this giving needs to be done responsibly and in a controlled manner to ensure that the funds or donations given are used for the purposes intended and not for ill-gotten things.
“I would encourage concerned citizens to refrain from donating to individuals on the streets but to rather donate to NGOs/NPOs who work with the homeless. In that way, it will be distributed responsibly”.
