LAST FRIDAY'S eviction of squatters from a 40-acre property in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, has ended, for the time being, a long-running battle over the occupation of the land.
That case has again thrown into sharp focus the repercussions that develop when creeping signs of social dysfunction are not addressed early. With the court's ruling that the squatters had no legal claim to the land, plans were put into effect to evict the hundreds of persons on that particular property. The occupants complained of having nowhere to go. As difficult as their present situation is however, squatting should not be rewarded under any circumstances. The difficulties that can arise are graphically illustrated in the development yesterday involving fish vendors relocated from the Portmore Causeway to facilitate construction of Highway 2000. But these long-standing squatters have now been told to vacate their new site by the Port Authority on whose property they are said to encroach - a classic example of official muddling.
The cry for justice, frequently enunciated in the society, cuts across social barriers. The fact is, squatters do not discriminate when moving to take over other people's lands, whether those properties had been bought after decades of hard work and savings, whether they be state lands, family lots or commercial lots - all are fair game in the eyes of the illegal occupants.
Many of these squatters who would claim to be poor and unable to purchase property, proceed to build elaborate edifices on these lots, and in turn treat the former owners like interlopers. Their concrete structures make a mockery of the claim of poverty.
Usually, Government turns a blind eye, or will take tentative steps to address the situation, only when the squatters begin to encroach on some prime property that has been identified for development, or a health crisis looms.
As with many other aspects of social action in Jamaica, the actions of squatters are tolerated because it is politically expedient to do so. In general they outnumber the property owners in any one area and so can be enticed with promises of help and protection if there is assurance that they will vote en bloc for a particular party. Of course, the state is sometimes intimidated by threats of protests especially if the land is near to 'sensitive' business districts.
We urge the Government and its agencies to be resolute in addressing this issue right across Jamaica, whether it be in the hills overlooking the Hope Estates, Prospect Lands in St. Thomas or the suburbs of Montego Bay. Failure to address these issues early, will prove to be more socially costly in the long run.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
