Paul-Andre Walker, Rural Coordinator

The threat of political violence and a shortage of manpower have forced the Clarendon police to place a ban on political motorcades in North West Clarendon today.

Superintendent in charge of the Clarendon police, Radcliffe Lewis, told The Gleaner that the ban has come on account of information his organisation has received.

"The ban is placed there because of certain information we received regarding political confrontation and likely eruption of violence," said Supt. Lewis.

Marches still allowed

But he made a distinction between political motorcades and meetings and marches, which he said were still allowed.

"A ban is placed on all political motorcades and political meetings, not marches. They can march from their constituency offices to the nomination centre," he said.

The ban, Supt. Lewis went on to tell The Gleaner, was put in place not just because of the threat of violence, but because of the timing of applications and how that would affect available personnel.

Do not have resources

"The applications state that shortly after nomination some of them will be going straight into the motorcades and it is impossible," he said.

"Thepersons who are supposed to provide security for the motorcades will be working at the nomination centres waiting for the other opponents to be nominated. We just do not have the resources to provide adequate security for those parties conducting the motorcades."

Supt. Lewis went on to warn candidates, who he says have already been notified, that if there are motorcades despite his refusal to respond to applications favourably, there will be consequences.

"I want to tell everybody - whether you are JLP, PNP or NDM - once you breach the law, I will issue a summons to appear in court no later than next week Wednesday," he said.

paul-andre.walker@gleanerjm.com