COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES across the island came to a squeaking halt yesterday at approximately 1 p.m. as business operators closed their doors in a show of protest against the country's escalating crime rate.
In Mandeville, all major businesses including supermarkets and gas stations were closed. Many persons were seen at bus stops thumbing a ride as most taxis were not on the road due to a lack of gasoline.
Various business places in St. Elizabeth also closed their doors."We support any gesture or initiative that is anti-crime; however, prior to Wednesday we had asked our members to wear black for the day as a means of mourning the death of our business colleagues in Clarendon" said Dr. Marc Panton, President of the St. Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce.
PRAYER VIGIL
In Ocho Rios, things got off to a late start for some business people but by 3 p.m. more than half the number of establishments in the resort town were closed and many people were seen heading home.
The day of protest in St. Ann was highlighted by the holding of a prayer vigil near the Clock Tower in Ocho Rios where scores of business people along with some of their staff and concerned citizens came out for the occasion.
CALL FOR VIGILANCE
President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Pauline Haughton, who headed the gathering, called on the people of St. Ann to be vigilant and fearless in their desire to rid the country of crime.
When The Gleaner visited Spanish Town, the scene of numerous murders in recent times, several businesses were seen drawing their shutters from as early as 1 o'clock.
"We cannot take this anymore, and when they are preying on business people then a stop must be put to this and as such we are willing to cooperate with the locking down," remarked a store owner.
Some persons with whom The Gleaner spoke said while the lock down might be good, there must be plans in place to do a follow-up so that it does not seem to be a one-off situation.
(Correspondents Devon Evans, Rayon Dyer, Rasbert Turner and Angelo Laurence contributed to this story.)
