People who feel that homeless people sleeping at bus stops are a threat can seek assistance from the Police.
This has been highlighted by the Police as several people continue to sleep and take shelter at bus stops along Queen Elizabeth Drive, which are used by many students and members of the community in the area.
While raising concerns, residents say children and women often wait for their buses outside the bus stops, regardless of the weather.
They say they are concerned about their safety and security and are urging the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, the Police and the Suva City Council to remove the homeless people occupying a place meant for people waiting for buses.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Police say that if people feel they are a threat, there is a Community Post in the area where they can seek assistance from the Police.
They say that when it comes to their welfare, it is a joint effort with Social Welfare because the Police do not have the facilities to house them, hence the need for a joint effort by all stakeholders.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says the Ministry is constantly profiling people, talking to them and helping to reintegrate them into their families, but many of them return.
She says the Ministry also has institutions where people can be placed, but many return to the streets, which is why they are working with families to take greater responsibility for their family members.
Kiran says the Ministry looks after people below the age of 18, and any children they are able to take in are immediately supported and worked with.
She says many of the older people who beg are between 25 and 35 years old and are young men who are able to work.
Kiran says once the Ministry establishes which province they are from, they work with the provincial care offices and local authorities to determine what support can be provided.
She says many of them, however, continue to choose to return to the streets.
Kiran says addressing the issue requires a whole-of-society approach, with everyone taking responsibility.
She says the Ministry is constantly on the ground trying to support them, but it is everyone's responsibility to find a way to address the issue.
Questions continue to be asked on when these people will be removed from the bus stops.
Further questions have been sent to the Police, while the Suva City Council is yet to respond.
