Police urge shoppers in downtown Kingston to be vigilant as Christmas season approaches

As the Yuletide season approaches, the police are urging shoppers to adopt safe practices and be vigilant as they conduct business in the busy market district in downtown Kingston.

 

The police warn that the increase in commerce especially on Beckford Street usually attracts thieves who prey on unsuspecting shoppers.

 

"We just want to appeal to vendors to abide by the system put in place. We ask that persons do not travel with large sums of cash on their person. We also ask them not to wear expensive jewellery, chains, chaparritas, rings. We ask them also not to travel with their electronic devices because this attract (sic) criminals on them. So we want for them to do all that they can do to prevent against any act of criminality," urged Inspector David Lowe, who is in charge of the Public Order team. 

 

The mass of pedestrians and vendors along Beckford Street had also made it difficult for vehicles to navigate.

 

But following a tour of the market district two days after Beckford Street was cleaned and cleared, Inspector Lowe said vehicles can now access the roadway with ease. 

 

"Emergency vehicles will be able to respond to any sort of emergency, the fire, the police and the ambulance, as also regular traffic can move in one direction from Orange Street to West Street. So because of the cleanup, it is much easier for the police to access the space. Before that, it would be easy for any criminal to commit any activity and run along Beckford Street and use Beckford Street as a haven," said the inspector. 

 

He added that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will continue to increase its presence in the business district.