WESTERN BUREAU:

On May 16 and again on June 1, a Gleaner news team visited the commercial district of Montego Bay, St James, and noted the level of lawlessness along Market, Church and St James streets in particular.

In Sam Sharpe Square, there were a number of persons vending illegally, while scores of motorists were involved in acts of indiscipline. All this was happening under the watchful eyes of uniformed policemen.

When questioned about their purpose in the square, one of the policemen explained, "We are doing the same thing we do every day, looking out for offenders."

Illegal sales

Along the commercial thoroughfare of St James Street, the sale of illegal DVDs, clothing, phone accessories and other items was prevalent.

Traffic offences included parking in no-parking zones as well as taxi operators picking up passengers in undesignated areas. In addition, several motorists showed disregard for individuals using pedestrian crossings.

"There's no structured (taxi) system in St James," Superintendent Steve McGregor, commanding officer for St James, told The Gleaner.

"One commuter suggested that the necessary agencies need to get this transportation system in St James worked out before the police can really go in. We don't want to go and take up something that is so haphazard and try to police it."

In relation to illegal vending, McGregor said: "That's a real problem in St James because we have a lot of it."

Constantly working

In dealing with this problem, he said the Island Special Constabulary Force was constantly working on curbing the problem.

In the meantime, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Charles Sinclair, said the police and the Transport Authority have not aggressively dealt with traffic violations in the Second City.

"The police have fallen down, and the Transport Authority, because I have not seen them out on the streets," Sinclair told The Gleaner. "My municipal police have been out there in the street. In April, we moved 240 vehicles from no-parking areas and off the sidewalks."

Mayor Sinclair said he met with the Transport Authority as well as the police in regard to the city's traffic problem in January, and suggested that all agencies use the zero-tolerance approach.

He, however, stated that the parish council has limitations, as it is without some powers that the police and transport authority possess.

"I've written to the superintendent of St James about it and, if I don't see any improvement in the activities of the traffic police and the Island Special Constabulary Force on the road in that regard, I'm going to have to go to the commissioner," he warned.

McGregor said most of the problems in Montego Bay were caused by the fact that citizens have scant regard for the law.

"I'm enforcing the Night Noise Abatement Act and everybody thinks I want to give him or her a fight because people feel they must do what they want to do, and it can't work," he said.

Even though the Noise Abatement Act has been on the books since 1997, it was not being enforced, thus street dances and stage shows continued as late as 8 a.m.

"As it relates to the crime and violence situation, we are targeting people who are walking around with offensive weapons. We are arresting people for smoking ganja, and we will have the police on the roads ... to see what is happening," McGregor explained.

Taxi operators park along a no-parking section of the road at a section of Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St James, as they wait for passengers. - photo by Denise Reid

HALF-WAY TREE

From the moment she stepped inside the Mandela Park in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, men who were sitting idly along the concrete strip moved into action.

"What happen, browning, gi me a talk nuh? Browning, look ya nuh," shouted the men, as they attempted to arrest her attention. A few walked over and began harassing her. At one stage, she became so horrified that she snapped at one of the men who attempted to touch her.

Others harassed

She was not the only woman who was harassed; other women who were inside the park between 10 a.m. and noon had similar experiences.

She was part of a Gleaner news team that went into the Half-Way Tree area to observe the lawlessness that has been affecting the commercial district.

Half-Way Tree, the busiest of the island's capitals, is home to several vibrant commercial centres. It boasts a brand-new bus park and heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic plies the area. Despite all the activities, crime is not alien to Half-Way Tree. Robberies, harassment and murders have been committed there in broad daylight in full view of pedestrians and motorists.

Senior Superintendent George Quallo told The Gleaner the new police zero-tolerance policy entails "targeting all offences, whether they are major or minor, and taking a zero-tolerance approach to any infractions".

On entering the park from the eastern gate, red-plate taxis were either parked, stopped by 'No Parking' signs, or in the middle of the road, while the drivers shouted destinations - Papine, downtown, Cross Roads and Barbican, among other locations.

Offensive weapons

Vendors outside the Mandela Park were selling large knives and machetes, although these items have been declared offensive weapons. A string of profane language crackled through the humdrum of the traffic, as if on cue.

The scent of ganja and stale urine permeated the air in the park, becoming the natural odour emanating from the walls of a nearby building.

Pedestrians ignored many of the pedestrian crossings and traffic lights and braved the busy roadway whenever and wherever they liked. Others minded their own business, walking quickly to their respective destinations. Students from a number of high schools were seen loitering around the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre and in the general vicinity of the park.

A total number of seven policemen were counted in the area. Three were seen standing under the awning of the Wilco Sport and Gear Store, observing the conduct of motorists, but no one was ticketed for any traffic violations. Three were also seen on the first floor of the transport centre, along with 12 security guards.