Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

AFTER FOUR weeks of training and a week of observation, Montego Bay's brand new municipal police force started their duties on the city's streets on Monday.

The force is part of the St. James Parish Council's effort to enforce its regulations and Ian Reid, secretary/manager at the council, is promising a zero tolerance approach to offenders.

"The message the St. James Parish Council would like to send to those who would seek to sully the good name of the parish of St. James and the city of Montego Bay is 'Your days are numbered' and it is just a matter of time before you are taken to the court," declared Mr. Reid.

Mr. Reid, who described the new force as "a watershed (moment) in the life of the St. James Parish Council," added that it was established for the parish council to position itself to "effectively carry out its mandate to ensure public order, safety and public health entrusted to it by the Parliament of Jamaica."

In addition to enforcing parish council regulations the force will also be working with communities to inform them of the responsibilities of the council and will also act as traffic wardens, enforcing designated metered parking areas and implementing tow away
programmes. "Also they will be guided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force to operate at certain point to assist in allowing the free flow of traffic along certain corridors of the city," Mr. Reid said.

GETTING RID OF STRAY ANIMALS

He added that the new force would be working to rid communities of stray animals and also will be working alongside the Public Health Department, Building Department, Inland Revenue, and the National Solid Waste Management, among others.

The new force, which presently numbers 15, recently ended four weeks of training and orientation in the laws necessary for its operation. Some of the topics covered include the Building Act, the Town and Country Planning Act and the Parish Council Act.

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