Ringo Vision, who feeds Croydon’s homeless from a trolley, received a police warning for antisocial behavior, sparking outrage.
Ringo states that he has served over 13,000 meals and actively documents Croydon’s homeless issue online, believing it differs from other places. His trolley essentially functions as a mobile soup kitchen, bringing sustenance to those in need.
The police warning came after an incident at Surrey Street Market. The warning does not ban him outright, but it references antisocial behavior. This prompted Ringo to temporarily suspend his efforts to help.
Ringo questions the rationale behind the warning, expressing confusion about why he received it and feeling wrongly accused. The police warning sparked outrage within the local community, leading to a petition seeking its reversal.
The warning followed reports of problems at the market involving people associated with Ringo. There were accounts of fights breaking out. Jose, a stallholder, observed these events and suggested that Ringo needed to exercise better control over the situation.
Instances of fighting, even causing tram disruptions, were reported. On January 8, a gathering around his trolley led to aggressive behavior towards marketgoers. Despite this, Jose acknowledged Ringo’s positive contributions to the community.
Jose also noted that Ringo’s associates initiated fights. Ringo describes the situation as becoming “passionate.” A fight involved Ringo, his followers, and marketgoers, leading to a police questioning of Ringo afterward.
The police issued a Community Protection Notice Warning, effective for seven years. These warnings are intended to prevent antisocial behavior from individuals aged 16 and older. Such behavior negatively impacts the community, including issues like excessive noise, litter, and other forms of disruptive conduct. Police stated that the warning addresses the community impact of these issues.
Complaints were made regarding intimidating behavior. The warning specifically does not prohibit harmless behavior. Ringo uses YouTube to document homelessness, highlighting the unique nature of Croydon’s problem.
He explains that many people arrive in Croydon and become homeless. He has witnessed people sleeping in dire conditions, hidden in car parks and alleyways, largely unnoticed by the general public.
He describes instances of people overdosing without anyone realizing it, urging greater awareness of the issue. Ringo felt inspired to take action last year, recognizing the urgent need to provide food for those in need. He then started his trolley service, which became a local staple.
The idea for the trolley came from Jamaica, and he prepares stews and jerk chicken to serve. Jose expressed that Ringo is like family and does good things for the community. Jose’s children even signed the petition, demonstrating their support for Ringo to continue his work.
The petition has garnered over 2,000 signatures. It advocates for Ringo to be able to feed the homeless without threat. It emphasizes the idea that kindness should not face punishment. Ringo expressed disappointment after receiving the warning.
Undeterred, he traveled to Crawley, where he camped alongside the homeless and provided food. Ringo vowed to return to Croydon and affirmed his commitment to continuing his help.