Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie (left), speaks with town clerk, Lincoln Evans, at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation's (KSAC) meeting at the corporation's Church Street offices, downtown Kingston, on Tuesday. - CONTRIBUTED
IT'S NOT only criminals' bullets that force policemen to take cover!
Smoke generated by jerked chicken vendors has been chasing the police out of their posts in New Kingston.
It is not known whether the police stationed there can't bear the arousing aroma of succulent jerked chicken or pork, or whether their lungs are choking from the heavy smoke.
But, whatever the cause, a militant Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, said he would have none of it!
He plans to take back New Kingston!
The mayor told The Gleaner Tuesday, that starting yesterday, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) would have spearheaded a new drive to clean up the entertainment hub, which he said, had virtually descended into nocturnal lawlessness.
As the mayor begins the crackdown, vehicles parked in no-parking zones will be towed, three nightclubs operating without amusement licences will be forced to close, and vendors will be removed from illegal areas.
"The kind of indiscipline being practised in New Kingston by persons who operate there can no longer escape the attention of the KSAC," he warned. "Night life in New Kingston can't continue like that."
NIGHTCLUBS WITHOUT LICENCES
He identified three nightclubs, Escape 24/7, Jamaica Vibes (Haining Road), and Coco Loco (Belmont Road), which he charged have been consistently operating without amusement licences. Two of them, he said, were violating the Noise Abatement Act and KSAC zoning laws.
"In the case of Escape 24/7, the KSAC has already served notice upon it to cease (operation), but its operators continue to ignore the KSAC warning," Mr. McKenzie disclosed.
The Gleaner was unable to contact the owners of the three nightclubs up to last night.
But, starting today, the mayor said the KSAC will launch a new initiative in New Kingston, where it will tow away illegally parked vehicles.
Mr. McKenzie added that municipal notices will also be placed in weekend newspapers to alert party-goers.
"Anywhere people park their vehicles in New Kingston, the KSAC is going to be removing those vehicles and they (motorists) will have to pay $10,500 to recover the vehicles," the mayor warned.
Jerked chicken and pork vendors have also been accused of significantly contributing to the breakdown of law and order.
"We see where these vendors have taken over the streets in New Kingston, where even the police post has to close its doors because of the smoke that comes from the jerked chicken pans," Mayor McKenzie told The Gleaner.
Despite this, he conceded that vendors had indicated a willingness to meet with KSAC officials to address the matter.
Mr. McKenzie said he was encouraging nightclub owners to rent KSAC car parks to properly accommodate their clients.
Contacted yesterday, Sean Newman, president of the New Kingston Civic Association, confirmed the mayor's report, stating that residential life has become "unbearable in New Kingston".
"Sometimes the music is so loud, some residents' windows shake," he said, adding that some entertainment operators open their businesses as late as 6:00 a.m.
