The annual Fireworks Festival is held simultaneously on the Waterfront in downtown Kingston; Ocho Rios, St. Ann; and Montego Bay, St. James.
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Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Constabulary Communications Network
By Kimone Witter
With many Jamaicans gearing up to participate in varying activities on Tuesday to ring in the new year, the Jamaica Constabulary Force says its officers will be deployed to ensure public safety.
One of the major events is the annual Fireworks Festival to be held simultaneously on the Waterfront in downtown Kingston; Ocho Rios, St. Ann; and Montego Bay, St. James.
This is the 21st staging of the festival, organised by the Urban Development Corporation, and will feature popular and upcoming artistes.
In Kingston, the police have advised of traffic changes that will be implemented to facilitate the staging.
Starting at 4 p.m., several intersections will be closed including Port Royal Street, Church Street, Peter's Lane and Ocean Boulevard.
Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Constabulary Communications Network, is appealing to attendees to adhere to the instructions of the police.
"I know that to facilitate the event, some of the streets will be blocked off, some of the streets will be turned into one way...so we have been sending out those advisories. So we want people to pay attention to that," she said, adding that persons who can should carpool since adequate parking is not available.
Two-way traffic will be permitted at some intersections to facilitate entrance and exit to and from parking areas only, and the UDC will be enacting a park and ride system where transportation will be provided to and from the venue.
Paid parking options will also be available.
The police note that during the staging of the Fireworks Festival, hundreds of people usually converge along the Palisadoes main road to view the fireworks which often leads to traffic congestion and disruption to traffic flow along that corridor.
In order to mitigate against this risk, the police will be implementing a number of measures such as no parking along the right side of the Norman Manley Highway leading to the airport between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight.
'Be safe'
In the meantime, SSP Lindsay is encouraging attendees at events to protect their personal property and avoid the theft of their motor vehicles by criminals. She also urged motorists not leave licensed firearms inside vehicles, but to make prior arrangements to secure their weapons.
Additionally, the police are reminding members of the public that gun salutes are illegal as well as dangerous. SSP Lindsay warned that those found engaging in the practice will face severe consequences.
She was speaking Tuesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.
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