By Adrian Frater , News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
IN A move aimed at getting citizens to obey the law, the St. James Parish Council has decided to take immediate steps to restore public order in the parish, especially in Montego Bay, the nation's tourism capital.
"We are not pleased with the level of lawlessness we are now seeing on the streets and we definitely intend to do something about it," said Montego Bay Mayor Noel Donaldson. "With the new municipal police officers who were recently employed to the council, I expect to see a significant difference in the extent to which laws are obeyed by members of the public."
In looking at the ways the law is currently being flouted, Mayor Donaldson said the main offences relate to parking, vending and littering, which are now major concerns. He noted that it won't be business as usual under the Council's new initiative, and has issued a call on offenders to become more mindful of the law.
IMPOUNDING VEHICLES
"Vehicles that are parked in the no-parking areas in the vicinity of Sam Sharpe Square are subject to being towed and impounded," stated Mayor Donaldson. "Similarly, vendors who continue to conduct business outside of the designated areas will have their goods confiscated and will be charged in accordance with the existing regulations."
The new initiative has found favour with businessman Winston Dear, the president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce. According to him, the chamber welcomes and fully endorses the new initiative, noting that it should go a long way in improving the quality of life in the western city.
"I just wish they had gone a little bit further and include the taxis, which are flouting the law and operating outside of their designated areas," said Mr. Dear, who has been vigilant campaigner over the years in seeking to get Montego Bay clean and presentable. "The survival of Montego Bay is dependent on us keeping it clean and orderly."
In August, the parish witnessed the graduation of the first batch of 15 specially trained municipal police personnel, whose primary role is to ensure that the municipal laws are obeyed. The number is to be increased to 25.
