Glenroy Sinclair and Robert Lalah, Staff Reporters
LOPEZ
ANGERED BY the death of their slain colleagues, members of May Pen's business community are calling for the amendment of legislation that would see persons convicted of gun crimes and extortion given longer sentences.
"We have formed a partnership with the police and all law-abiding citizens to fight against crime," president of the May Pen Chamber of Commerce, Aldo Brown, told The Gleaner yesterday.
The call for the amendment to legislation was made during a meeting held on Monday with the commanding officer of the division, Superintendent Terrence Bent.
The business owners and police met against the background of the brutal killing of businessmen Maurice Azan and his stepson, Lloyd Phang, who were gunned down during a robbery at the Azan's Supermarket in May Pen, Saturday night.
"Since the death of Mr. Azan, there is more unity among us," said Mr. Brown.
In respect to tomorrow's planned 'shutdown' of the business community, Mr. Brown said they have been getting islandwide support for the protest.
SOLIDARITY IN THE FIGHT
Yesterday Beverly Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), said she supported the decision by business people in Clarendon to shut their doors in a show of solidarity in the fight against crime.
Mrs. Lopez said she was unable to comment on discussions that took place at a meeting with PSOJ members on Monday night to look at the worrying issue of extortion. She, however, noted that other meetings would be held on the matter.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Supt. Bent insisted there was no evidence to suggest that the killing of the businessmen was linked to any extortion racket. The commanding officer said at least three decisions were made during the meeting.
Among them were:
Support for all police crime prevention initiatives
Establishment of a partnership with law-abiding citizens and the justice system.
The establishment of a lobby group to voice concerns on behalf of the business community to the lawmakers.
