St. James Parish Council Adopts Zero Tolerance Approach

Mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, says the St. James Parish Council will be adopting a zero tolerance approach to several issues that have been dogging the city.

Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, in Montego Bay, on July 14, Mayor Harris lists the issues as the improper disposal of solid waste, illegal operation of route taxis, illegal street vending and crime.

On the matter of solid waste disposal, Mayor Harris said there is a need for those who have been engaged in the improper disposal of garbage to be re-cultured.

“We will be taking some steps to deal with enforcement of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Act. We will be employing four anti-litter Wardens who will be dealing with this garbage collection issue,” he said.

Mayor Harris, who is also Chairman of the Council, said the matter will be tackled at both the commercial and domestic levels, as there are breaches being committed across all sectors.

He explained that the Council will be working closely with the Police and the Transport Authority in curbing the operation of illegal route taxis in the city, some of whom conduct their business with no regard for authority.

“We have route taxis going everywhere…and they operate from anywhere. We have to take a stand and restrict the taxi operators. Whenever you see or hear of the enforcement to deal with this, it’s not that we want to stop people from making a living, but we need law and order and structure in Montego Bay,” Mayor Harris said.

On illegal vending, he pointed out that vendors have been flocking Montego Bay from across the island and even those who have legal operations in the various arcades and markets, have adopted the position of peddling their wares on the streets of the city.

The Mayor said that a programme to remove street vendors have started and will be ramped up in the coming weeks, in an effort to restore law and order to that sector.

“It seems as if people from all over the island believe that they can come and vend in Montego Bay and it cannot be that making a living should deprive the normal citizens from utilizing the public space. The move has been made to rid the streets of Montego Bay of vending,” Mr. Harris emphasized.

He said there is adequate space at the Charles Gordon Market, the People’s Arcade, the Byron Leslie Market as well as the Old Shoe Market to accommodate legal vendors.

Commenting on crime, the Mayor said the Council will be working with all stakeholders in finding a solution, as crime and violence thrive among the other illegal activities that have been taking place.