WESTERN BUREAU:RECEIPT HOLDERS waited in vain outside Speedy Cash's Falmouth offices for hours on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, as rumours of repayment proved false up to press time.
However, the crowd bore the wait stoically, some sitting in line outside the closed door and others waiting in the general vicinity.
"They were very orderly; they were out there waiting. It was still locked when I passed there about an hour-and-a-half ago," Superintendent Tomlinson-Brown of the Falmouth Police Station said at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
"We are monitoring the situation," the Superintendent added.
When The Gleaner visited the police station an elderly gentleman was in the final stages of lodging his complaint against Speedy Cash. His statement joined two thick files of similar statements.
Although the crowd outside Speedy Cash was not boisterous, most faces spoke volumes of desperation and anger. Sweat dripped like tears from several faces, as the sweltering heat took its toll.
"Me jus' waan back my money," a depositor said. "Me no business bout no draw."
Damage
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Things were far from orderly in Lucea, Hanover, as depositors crowded the offices of the Quick Cash Partner Plan for a second consecutive day last week Wednesday.
"There is no need for them to behave like this. They will get back their money. Because of the crush it is slow, but we are still doing business," a representative of the plan who would not give his name said.
Depositors have been offered the option of withdrawing their money or continuing in the plan.
"The truth of the matter is that we intend to give people a refund if that is what they want. About two-thirds want to support the plan. We have a steady flow in the re-entry area. If they are supporting the plan we are issuing them with a membership card," the employee said.
"People lost confidence because of Speedy. Because of the panic some people decided to withdraw. The inflow slowed down dramatically and in order to pay out we need an inflow. There is a reserve we have put aside to do just this, pay back people what they put in," he continued.
"If we had continued paying hands, the money would have been depleted."
"Most of the people who are crowding up the door are people who have already benefited," he said angrily.
Quick Cash Partner Plan has issued a statement naming the contact person as Deloris Dale, Operations Manager, after the rush on its offices on Tuesday.
It explains the state of the plan and outlines a new schedule to get 'draws' up to date.
"On Sunday 9th April we called a general meeting with all old and new depositors. The reason is to provide reassurance in light of all which that has happened in other areas and the apparent air of mistrust and uncertainty, which prevails... We went to great length and pains to explain this to the over 4,000 persons who were present, we got a general acceptance. There were, however, a small group of persons who have already benefited but were waiting to receive the second draw. These are the people who have gone out and began spreading the wicked rumour and lies about the plan failing and creating all kinds of mischief and discontent.
"This unfortunately created a rush on our offices on Tuesday... This situation has distracted us and caused a delay in the regular payment programme for persons whose draws are now due.
"We are appealing to our very valued depositors and members to be patient with us we are doing our best to clear this confusion and hope to resume regular payments next Tuesday just after Easter. All outstanding payments will be dealt with during the week into Saturday if necessary so as to get updated."
"The Lucea plan is for the needy not for the greedy," the release ended.
