The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) is to get tough on nightclubs and other places of amusement operating without the required licence.

This is not the first time that the KSAC has threatened a clampdown on establishments operating illegally, but in the wake of Monday morning's shootings at the unlicensed Double Diamond nightclub in the Boulevard SuperCentre, in St Andrew, Town Clerk Errol Greene said this time the drive will be sustained.

"We weren't as aggressive as we were a few years ago in dealing with the establishments at nights, but we certainly will be looking at that to see whether the fire department, public health and the KSAC can see what they can do to ensure the persons conform," Greene said.

The town clerk blamed a shortage of manpower for the failure of state agencies to shut down the several entities which are operating without the minimum safety requirements, such as fire extinguishers, emergency exits and back-up power systems.

"Neither the KSAC nor the fire department has the numbers to effectively patrol the city," Greene added.

He said the KSAC had only seven of the approximately 20 building inspectors it needed to monitor the many bars, clubs, gaming lounges and other entertainment facilities in the Corporate Area.

According to Greene, the Double Diamond nightclub was in breach of several rules and less than one year ago, the fire department instructed the operator to address these shortcomings.

Breaches

Greene said the KSAC was to have talks with the operators of the club about the breaches.

"What we are interested in now is finding the operators to ensure that no more lives are lost or that no more lives are in danger because persons are not operating within the laws," Greene added.