16 years In a Car- Adrian Smith

16 YEARS

IN A CAR

ADRIAN SMITH

The story of George ‘Breezy’ Lattibeaudiere George

Lattibeaudiere,

affectionately called ‘Breezy’, hails from Scotts Hall in the parish of St. Mary. He is a labourer in the late forties who has been living on the roadside for over sixteen years in a car parked just below a house he once lived in growing up as a child. Breezy who grew up in a nuclear family house with two bedrooms lived with his mother, step-father and a sister.

While living with his step-father who was the care giver at the time, Breezy and his sister had a dispute over land possession which eventually led both parties to court.

The presiding judge ordered Breezy

about other lands to build on

dwelling

to stay away from the premises.

Breezy said “yes me own the land

relationship with Breezy is very

After

judge’s

weh you si around here” . He was

strong and she would visit him from

warning, his mental health and

questioned further as to whether or

time to time. A huge smile could be

well being started deteriorating. In

not he would make a new structure

seen on both faces when I visited

accepting his fate, Breezy bought

An hopeful Breezy nodded his head

setting the tone of what a brother/

a vehicle which he turned into his

to show a desire of wanting to

sister relationship is like even in

own one bedroom house. This has

live in a place that is rightfully his.

adverse situations. Whenever he

been serving him for over 16 years.

Marjorie

Breezy’s

into

favourite sister, shared her feelings

isolation allowed him to become

on her brother’s living condition.

an independent person where he

She acknowledged her passion and

washed and cooked for himself

desire to help him move from his car

and worked to survive. When asked

to a better and more comfortable

heeding

long

to

the

journey

Lattibeaudiere,

his

place.

Marjorie’s

washes his clothes, he takes them to her house for drying and she provides breakfast whenever she can. She loves her brother and looks forward to help from corporate Jamaica towards placing Breezy

into a better living environment. A niece who was

seats is where he has slept for sixteen years in a curled

passing by echoed a similar sentiment for her uncle. “I

position, unaffected by any form of vermin. His toilet

don’t want him to live in a car, I want him to live in a

is a pasture below his home. Toiletries have a place

house” , she said.

in the back seat alongside his clothes and his mason

Checks were made to see how conducive living in his original home was but such an accommodation was not possible due to an alleged family conflict.

tools are kept on outside of his car house. Breezy, who considers himself to be a good cook of chicken, pork, rice, dumpling and tin products, prepares his meal on the roadside on a wood fire. Even out of the little he prepares, Breezy still finds a way to share his food. “If someone is passing and ask me for some I would give them”, he said.

Officer in charge of the Castleton Police Station, Sergeant Christopher Ward, had launched a personal investigation into Breezy’s living condition. Ward noted he has tried to get an interview with the Gleaner Company of Jamaica in a bid to get some assistance for Breezy but no help has been forthcoming hence he invited me to see if he can be helped through my publication. Sergeant Ward remains optimistic that George “Breezy” Latibeaudiere will eventually find a comfortable place to sleep that he can call home.

The house where Breezy once lived before he was evicted

Breezy, a prominent labourer in Scotts Hall, has done quite a number of construction work in his community.

He has built a nearby bar which still stands firm today.

He was involved in building the Annotto Bay High School, a Baptist Church, a tank at Castleton All Age School and various houses in Scotts Hall. Relationship with community members remain one of utmost respect.

The 1967 Austin car in which he lived showed rust from a distance. It had broken doors, punctured tyres and a blue tarpaulin on the roof which sheltered him from the rain and sunshine. Inside was unkempt and in a clutter due to limited space. He showed me the title, insurance, fitness and license for his motor vehicle as proof of purchase for the vehicle. Living in a motor vehicle for over sixteen years is not easy as he is unable to rest comfortably. Inside, a sponge spread across both front

Breezy displays his car titles.

Breezy uses the front seats of his car for his bed.

Seargant Ward inspects George’s living conditions

Fireplace where Breezy does his cooking.v

Where Breezy answers nature’s call.

Washed clothes are stored at the back of the car .

Breezy stores his plates and wash bath in the trunk of his car.

16 Years In A Car Adrian Smith University of Technology, Jamaica ©2016