WESTERN BUREAU – The police are reporting a significant decline in criminal activity at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay.

They have credited the establishment of a police post in the area, by the police hierarchy and that of the St James Parish Council about two months ago.

A month earlier, robberies, wounding and murders were common at the facility and perpetrators were usually long gone before the police arrived at the scene. This, as investigators had to journey from the Barnett Street and Freeport police station, which are some distance away. Simultaneously, there were incidents of traffic violations and unrest among vendors.

Head of the St James Special Constabulary Divisional Headquarters Carl Kerr said that has all since changed. Police officers, he said, are always on the spot to address any given situation as the police post is equipped with three officers who are complemented by patrols in the area.

“Crime at the market is very minimal compared to what used to happen before. We have three men deployed at the market in addition to our roving team, which make periodical checks. So, we sort of have things well under control in that area,” Kerr told the Observer.

According to the divisional commander, the police presence in the area has also resulted in, among other things, the freer flow of traffic and organised vending in the area. Vendors, he noted, now have their designated selling areas that they utilize even as motorists are compelled to use the specified parking areas.

“Ever since we have been there, the presence of the officers have been felt in many areas because where you would find undesirables… hanging around the (market) areas they have been clearing the areas… People who used to vend on the outside… have ceased,” Kerr said.

Vendors, and more particularly those who operate from within the market, have in the interim welcomed the police. Selling, they said, has become less of a hassle.

“With the police presence at the market (it) is a big difference because less crime is now taking place at the market. When the police are here, we do not have people coming in here and rob vendors at knife point. We still have robberies, but it limited, and most of the thieves are caught by the police,” said vendor, Pamella Hall.

Garth Douglas, a banana vendor from the Maroon Town in the parish, shared her sentiments.

“Right now, almost everywhere you go at the market you see police. The only problem is that I believe that they need to stay at the market longer than 5 o’clock in the afternoon. But, they are doing a good job,” he told the Observer.