Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
A section of the busy town of May Pen in Clarendon. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
LIKE A contagious disease, the multimillion-dollar extortion trade has spread to the bus park in the rural town of May Pen, Clarendon.
Superintendent Derrick 'Cow-boy' Knight, the Commanding Officer for the parish, has expressed concerns about the illicit trade, from which some persons are collecting up to $120,000 per week.
"It is impacting in a negative way on the town, so we have to find a way to deal with it," said Supt. Knight.
Reports are that bus and taxi operators are being targeted. The extortionists have imposed a rule that all taxi and busmen must pay at least $50 per trip. A quick calculation by the police, based on the number of vehicles checked, is showing that the extortionists are collecting over $28,000 per day.
According to Superintendent Knight, one of the men implicated in the extortion racket was picked up recently, but the police had to release him because nobody came forward to give a statement or to identify him.
NOBODY COMING FORWARD
"Everybody is calling to say what is happening and giving descriptions of persons, but nobody is willing to come forward and give a statement, so we have to find some ingenious ways in dealing with this," the superintendent said.
President of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, Aldo Brown, said he has not received any reports or complaints relating to extortion from the business community, but has heard of some sort of extortion taking place in the bus park.
"There was a direct attempt on the business community some time ago, this was no joke business. It was dealt with and we believe that somehow it is either gone or subdued," said Mr. Brown.
The Clarendon police have a adopted a zero tolerance approach to crime over the past three months, and have been arresting up to 60 persons per week and a low of 40. Persons are held and charged with offences such as possession of offensive weapons, unlawful possession, riding without lights, possession of and smoking ganja.
The police said the zero tolerance approach has resulted in a reduction in crime.
