Homeless crisis in Dundee overflows into CBD

The number of homeless people sleeping on pavements outside businesses in the CBD is continuing to grow.
Favourite spots are Gladstone Street, opposite Dundee police station, outside the sheriff’s office (since relocated to Ladysmith) in Gladstone Street and in other areas.
Business people say they have to clean up ‘debris’ and human waste left by those who sleep outside their shops before opening up for business.
“I have complained to the landlord, but he cannot do anything.
“People continue to sleep there (on the sidewalks) and we can’t do much about it.
“We don’t want to confront them, as this may lead to further issues,” said one businessman who declined to be named.
FC Bester of the Endumeni Residents Association said the ‘matter of the homeless is getting out of hand’.
“Obviously one does not want to be inhumane, but we need a solution that can maybe involve the community, religious institutions, social welfare, the SAPS and council.
“All it does is give our town a bad name and encourage people to shop elsewhere. The town is dirty as it is and this just adds to it.”
Cllr Naresh Gopie, chairman of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, MPAC, commented that ‘the matter is unacceptable’. “We need a collective solution that can ensure that people do not have to sleep out on the pavements, which impacts on businesses. And with winter coming, for humanitarian reasons, we need to encourage people from all sectors to perhaps come up with ideas that will help to ease this social issue and look at shelters or whatever else needs to be done.”