IF YOU want to get a feel for any town and its people, head to its market. That's what we did and found Hector Goode, a native of the capital. He has been selling in Morant Bay market for more than 30 years and is assisted by his wife and daughter. He sells everything you would expect and has seen quite a few changes in Morant Bay, most of them positive.

"It (the capital) has improved a lot. We have more businesses, motor vehicles, and even the market has been upgraded with more foodstuff," he said.

According to him, sales aren't bad. "It has its ups and downs", but he pointed out that many residents have started doing the same thing.

"It seems like you have more sellers than buyers right now," he chuckled. "School leavers can't get nuh work. We want some factories. Some go to all Kingston to find work. Some jus' lef school and yuh si dem come wid baby," he said.

We also ran into the Reverend Robert Afflick, associate pastor of the Church of the First Born. He, too, was born in Morant Bay and was standing near the famous Paul Bogle statue, also expressing his disgust with its current state. He said he would like to see more jobs.

"The number of people seeking work has been growing since Eastern Banana closed down and the Goodyear factory stopped running," he said, pointing out that many people from Morant Bay were once employed to those companies.

They both agreed that Morant Bay people were friendly, as we had come to realise during our day's trek through the capital.

"Like every community, you have a few bad eggs still," said Rev Afflick. The clergyman was also full of praise for the police's efforts.

"The police have been doing a good job in community relations, helping to keep the crime rate stable. I have seen a big improvement in the relationship between the police and the residents," he noted.

- Stories by Daviot Kelly

A busy street in Morant Bay.