Police Urge Persons to Prioritise Safety in Downtown Market District

Persons are being strongly urged to prioritise safety and follow essential and critical guidelines while navigating the busy downtown market district during the festive Yuletide season.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area 4, Michael Phipps, reminded persons of the safety and operational measures being undertaken by the police, during a press conference at the offices of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, recently.

He encouraged persons to keep their mobile phone, cash and other valuables out of sight whilst in public spaces.

“If you withdraw large sums of cash from the bank or ABM, secure the bulk of that cash before you go shopping, as you may never know who is watching or following you. We want you to organise your spending cash before you start shopping to avoid displaying large sums of money in public places,” Mr. Phipps said.

He further reminded persons not to leave laptops and other electronic devices on the seats of a car whilst it is unattended.

The law officer noted that where possible, persons are encouraged to walk with someone else, preferably in groups, three or more persons. He noted that criminals are less likely to target persons in groups.

“Choose carefully who you ask for directions when in unfamiliar settings. Be aware of your surroundings, look confident like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t know,” he advised.

Mr. Phipps said persons should always take the route they know best, even if there may be shorter alternatives.

“Don’t walk with hands in pockets and try to keep both hands free. Walk facing the oncoming traffic,” he said.

The Acting Assistant Commissioner also urged adults to closely monitor their children, so they do not get lost. “We see where this happens frequently across all spaces at this time of the year,” he said.

Also, he reminded business operators and owners to contact the police for escort when moving large sums of cash. “We do this escort free of cost,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Phipps said the Area 4 police, which has command of a large section of the Corporate Area’s public spaces and markets, have initiated an action plan regarding policing services.

“We will provide security, assurance and an overall safe atmosphere for citizens to go about their lawful business. This action plan commenced on the 18th of November this year and will run until 6th January 2025, where we actually scale down our administrative functions in order to allow for increased security forces presence across the area,” he said.

He informed that the action plan has elements which treat with a number of issues usually affecting public spaces, especially at this time of year, with particular focus on suppression of criminal activities; overt and covert security presence; managing vendors and general vending activities; traffic management, with a focus on alleviating congestion; minimising public disorder and providing a sense of safety and citizen security, and curtail the movements of criminals across the area.

He pointed out that the team will be supported by the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) Specialised Operations Division, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and stakeholders from the business community.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Phipps said the aim is to address the potential issues that the area may face during the period by developing a structured and holistic approach that seeks to incorporate the full resources of the police as well as stakeholders in tackling any potential issue.

Some of the objectives, he outlined, include disrupting criminal activities by dominating public spaces without the inconvenience to law-abiding citizens and the abuse of their rights; denying freedom of movement and freedom of action to criminals on the thoroughfares by establishing vehicular check points and people check points; disrupting the flow and movement of illegal firearms and contrabands through stop and search of suspicious persons in town centres and bus parks, as well as searches of vehicles; protection of life and property; prevention and detection of crime; enhancing proximity policing through high visibility and contact with citizens.

He said the team will also be executing planned operations and spontaneous policing operations and activities in communities and the business district known to criminals, as well as sensitising and promptly notifying other essential services about major developments relating to crime or disasters.

“I want to advise also that we will not tolerate the presence of anyone whose behaviour will impact negatively on our desired intention to ensure a very safe period for all. I want to issue a warning, especially to those with ill-intent and others who would want to perpetrate acts of criminality, that our intolerance levels will be at its highest against them, as we will go very hard at all the robbers, extortionists and the gangsters who may choose to play out their conflicts in these spaces,” Mr. Phipps emphasised.

Meanwhile, he said the implementation of the traffic changes in downtown Kingston will be strictly enforced. The changes, which became effective on December 9, are Heywood Street – One-way traffic heading east to west up to Orange Street; West Street – One-way traffic heading south between Spanish Town Road and Beckford Street; Pechon Street – One-way traffic heading south between Spanish Town Road and Darling Street; and Beckford Street – One-way traffic heading west up to Orange Street.

“These changes have been made for the convenience of all persons who will traverse the downtown market district. These changes have proven to be very effective and allow for ease of access to all areas within the space,” Mr. Phipps said.