WATCH: Police warn of street vending clampdown in Mandeville
MANCHESTER, Jamaica— Police in Manchester say effective Monday, June 10, vending will be prohibited on Manchester Road in Mandeville as part of efforts to restore public order and safety.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Llamar Clarke in charge of Zone 1 in Manchester during a sensitisation exercise on Thursday said the Manchester Road is overrun by vendors.
“Presently, we have realised that vendors have taken over the streets of Manchester. We also realised that [some of] these vendors are not from Manchester. They are from other parishes who come into the Mandeville space and occupy the thoroughfare causing vehicular traffic to be slowed and pedestrians do not have access to the sidewalk causing them to walk in the road, which is endangering their lives,” he said.
“We have decided that we must put a stop to this, so as of June 10 we will be coming out in full force and we will be prosecuting whosoever we find vending in the no-vending zones,” he added.
He explained that the disorder leads to criminals preying on pedestrians.
“The vending on the streets causes pickpockets to come out within the crowd. We have got a whole lot of reports by the station of people losing their money, purse, cellphones, important documents because of pickpockets picking their wallets or purses. This is of concern to the citizens of Manchester who want to go about their lawful business in a peaceful and safe environment,” he said.
He issued a stern warning to vendors who don’t comply.
“Their goods will be seized. They will be prosecuted, arrested and charged and placed before the courts. I am just imploring those who get this news to comply. We, the police, want to work with you. There is market space, go into the market,” he stressed.
“Our intention is not to seize your goods or to stop you from making your livelihood, but in so doing we cannot allow you to do so in an illegal manner, so use the market and you will be fine.”
— Kasey Williams