Chairman of the soon-to-be-disbanded Festival and Fairs Committee, Dirk “Dirky” Walters, recently addressed concerns on Facebook regarding the removal of an individual discovered residing inside the ticket booth managed by the committee.
Public outcry ensued, albeit on a now-deleted post, when it was revealed that the man had been evicted from the facility.
Blame was directed at Walters, who took action on Monday, and a civilian who brought attention to the situation after noticing unusual activity at the Festival Grounds.
The initial post from the whistleblower questioned, “How much does a studio apartment at the festival grounds cost?” referring to the makeshift living quarters observed inside the ticket booth, complete with a bed, clothes, and bottled water.
The whistleblower, having observed the seemingly able-bodied and mentally sound individual staying there, commented, “I know times are hard, but this appears to be a person who works. He even has a key to secure the premises and his belongings.”
While the public sympathized with the man, with criticism directed at the whistleblower for publicizing the situation, one Facebook post claimed to have spoken to the man, expressing hope for an extended stay in the ticket booth. The author contended that the man was employed and searching for an affordable apartment within his budget.
Criticism intensified after the man’s belongings were removed, and he was made to vacate the ticket booth. While speculation suggests that action against the man stemmed from the whistleblower’s post, Walters asserted having not seen any posts apart from being privately sent one of the attached videos.
Amid many unknown details, including the duration of the individual’s stay at the ticket booth, Walters provided context, refuting allegations that Facebook discussions influenced the decision.
He said that as the head of the Festival and Fairs Committee, he intervened to secure the facility following concerns from the business community.
Walters, mentioning that the man was absent during the assessment and securing of the ticket booth, shed light on the man’s subsequent arrival. He noted that Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force had also arrived, informing the man of trespassing. Walters’ intervention allowed the man to leave with his belongings without facing charges, a decision rooted in sympathy for the man’s situation.
Walters expressed his well-wishes for the 21-year-old man involved in the incident, hoping he receives the necessary help. He acknowledged this was not the first time an individual had to be removed from Festival Grounds and other public facilities in Road Town after unlawfully residing there.
Chiding members of the public for “selective outrage,” Walters emphasized the serious issue of homelessness in the Virgin Islands.
