NEGRIL, Westmoreland — The Westmoreland police have vowed to arrest anyone they suspect of breaking the law during this year’s staging of Negril’s annual five-day, high-energy music festival, Dream Weekend.

More than 15,000 revellers are expected to descend on the resort town from July 28 to August 2 for the festival dubbed the Caribbean’s largest party experience.

Last year the police recovered more than $2 million worth of electronic gadgets which were reportedly stolen from patrons. They also seized approximately J$200,000 in cash and £30.

“The onus is really on the owners of these high-end devices to make preparations to have them securely locked away or secured from the possibility of being stolen. Outside of that, we are looking at arresting anybody who we suspect might be involved in criminal activities in the space,” warned Zone Four Commander for Little London and Negril Deputy Superintendent of Police Shaunjaye Mitchell.

“While you will have police presence along the stretch, it is your responsibility to secure your motor vehicle and its contents. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Take them out,” said Mitchell.

The goal, he stressed, is for everyone to have fun and then “leave in one piece, unharmed, and that everything will return to normal”.

DSP Mitchell is urging anyone who suspects that someone is lingering in the area with the intention to commit a crime to call the police 119 number immediately.

“We are anticipating a large influx of persons and we expect that we will have a good series of events and people will remain safe,” he said.

Dream Weekend will take place on the Norman Manley Boulevard, which occupies the parishes of both Westmoreland and Hanover. DSP Mitchell said the Negril police will be policing the area while other divisions in area one — such as St James, Trelawny and Hanover — will assist the Westmoreland police. The Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) from Kingston will also play a role in managing the traffic.

Illegally parked vehicles will be impounded at the owners’ expense; and DSP Mitchell has warned against driving while drunk.

“If you’re going to be one of those persons who consume alcohol and is not staying at a hotel in the area we are begging you, do not go around a steering wheel and attempt to drive because we will have our breathalyser machines in the space as well. If we suspect that you are drunk or you are under the influence of alcohol, your breath will be tested and prosecution will follow,” he said.

The officer also had words of warning for vendors.

“Persons who are desirous of being in this space are required to get a vendor’s permit, or at least a temporary permit, for the series of events that will be happening in the area — and we encourage them to do that as soon as possible,” he said while admitting that the deadline for applications may have already passed.

“Set up from early and maintain your vending space. Do not encourage other vendors to encroach on your space because, along with the municipal police officers, we will be enforcing the vendor’s permit. We will be looking at removing persons who are not so authorised to sell anything in the space,” the officer added.