MERCHANTS OPERATING in the vicinity of Cross Roads and downtown Kingston drew down their shutters early yesterday afternoon, as preparations moved into high gear for the People's National Party (PNP) mass meeting in Cross Roads last night.
Downtown Kingston closed down from as early as 2:00 p.m. and there was a heavy police presence. Only a handful of higglers along Beckford, West Queen and Barry streets were seen peddling their wares. The main commercial areas such as King and Orange Streets were empty.
In contrast, the atmosphere was more a like carnival in Cross Roads in the vicinity of the Carib Cinema, where PNP supporters, clad in party T-shirts, lined the streetside with igloos from about 4:00 p.m., selling alcoholic beverages.
Businesses in the ajoining areas of Hope, Slipe and Half Way Tree roads, near the Cross Roads Post Office, shut down and sent home their staff early.
Stores in the Silver Slipper Plaza on Hope Road, which normally close after 6:00 p.m., locked about an hour and half earlier. Most business places between Oxford Road and Cross Roads, along Old Hope Road, were closed.
The situation was the same between Torrington Park and Slipe Road, up to Cross Roads.
While some commuters were unaware of the changes in the bus routes, others were seen walking at a brisk pace along Slipe Road, Half-Way Tree Road and Hope Road, to their destinations.
One woman who waited impatiently for a No 61 bus and did not know where to turn, was eventually assisted by three JUTC Ticket Inspectors, seen sitting at bus stop along Hope Road. Most of the buses had been re-routed from Brentford Road via Half-Way Tree Road.
At 4:15 there was little sign of life at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston. The regular peak-hour bumper-to-bumper traffic in and around Half-Way Tree and Hope Roads was absent.
The intersection of Half-Way Tree and Retirement Roads was blocked off with iron horses and manned by police personnel; likewise the intersection of Old Hope Road and Caledonia Avenue.
Beyond that point a huge stage was set up immediately in front the Post Office, at the taxi stand. The bus stop across the road was taken over by higglers.
