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Assistant Commissioner Gary McKenzie, head of the JCF's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch
By Lorraine Mendez
The Transport Authority, Island Traffic Authority and the Jamaica Constabulary Force have launched a joint effort to rid the streets of rogue passenger vehicle operators.
The initiative, dubbed Operation Streamline, was launched at 6:30 Monday morning.
Assistant Commissioner Gary McKenzie, head of the JCF's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, says it is an islandwide operation, with emphasis on the Corporate Area.
Speaking with members of the media before midday Monday, ACP McKenzie said nearly 200 tickets had been issued within a few hours of the operation, vehicles seized and people arrested.
"So far we have issued some 190 traffic tickets. We have seized 10 vehicles and we have made seven arrests by way of execution of warrants. This initiative is one which we aim to get transportation moving across the city and the country in an organised and lawful manner," he said.
ACP McKenzie noted that the authorities encountered at least four drivers with more than 50 outstanding tickets, adding that one driver had amassed more than 300 outstanding tickets.
He reminded drivers with outstanding traffic tickets to honour arrangements made with the court to pay the fines, or face the consequences.
"Where warrants are issued, we will execute and where persons are seen not conforming with the arrangement, we will also take them into custody and assist them in getting through that process," he warned.
ACP McKenzie shared what he said was an "unfortunate situation" along Nelson Mandela Highway on Monday afternoon in which a conductor was driving a Coaster bus and crashed.
"He did not have a licence to drive that vehicle nor is he the holder of a driver's licence. This kind of irresponsible behaviour is not what we want within the transportation sector," he insisted.
Operation Transportation Streamline will run for one month, after which it will be reviewed and adjusted.
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