Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Residents of May Pen, Clarendon place peace banners in the business district which was closed for several hours yesterday, in what the town's business sector say was a show of solidarity in the fight against crime. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
ANYONE WITH the munchies for a hot patty or a slice of lemon meringue pie in May Pen, Clarendon yesterday afternoon was plumb out of luck. For that matter, you could not get a plum to buy either.
The business district was completely shut down between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in what business operators called a show of solidarity against crime.
The lock down was called by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, a day after prominent businessmen Maurice Azan and Lloyd Phang were attacked and shot at their business place in the community. Both men later died.
Yesterday's air-tight lock down was scheduled to take place between two and five in the afternoon. However by a half past one, most businesses were already closed.
As heavy rains plummeted the area, would-be shoppers were literally left out in the cold with nowhere to shelter. This sent several women's hairdos south, but did nothing to dampen the fervour in the community. Residents spoke freely of the need to rid May Pen of the crime monster once and for all.
A small group of colourfully dressed flag-waving rastafarians took the opportunity to deliver an impromptu sermon on the street side, to what soon became a large crowd.
SHOW OF RESPECT FOR AZAN
Rain-drenched residents spoke freely and openly of the late Maurice Azan, calling him a father figure and his death, a great loss for the community.
Even the highly mobile 'business owners' got in on the act. Usually pertinacious vendors of everything, from clothes to fruits, wrapped up their inventory at precisely 2:00 p.m. "We haffi show respect to di big man. How you mean?" said Theophilus Bramwell, a peanut vendor.
Police personnel were out in large numbers keeping an eye on proceedings, but by four o' clock, there was nothing much to watch as by then, the streets were almost empty.
