MCKENZIE

Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie says he will be meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange, early next week, to iron out issues with respect to traffic management and infrastructural problems , St. Andrew, following the opening of the new U.S. Embassy building.

During a tour of the environs yesterday morning the mayor said he was not satisfied that the embassy had fulfilled commitments it had made in previous meetings with him.

People have been complaining that the new facility does not have adequate parking or signs, while residents in Liguanea have been complaining of traffic congestion as well as damaged roads and invasion of privacy.

Invasion of privacy

Angela Templer, chairperson for the Liguanea Area Coalition of Citizens Association, says residents close to the embassy have been complaining of security cameras and lights atop the embassy building pointing into their backyards.

"The original documentation that we saw from NEPA and TCPA (Town and Country Planning Authority) said the lighting towards our homes would only be low lighting; what we have is overhead lighting and cameras pointed directly at our properties, which is an invasion of our privacy," she said.

The residents have also been complaining that people visiting the embassy have been blocking the entrance to their properties and verbally abusing them.

Mayor McKenzie says residents have a right to freedom of movement and should not be so hindered. He said more police will be brought in to man the area and prosecute persons who park illegally.