State of Emergency could dampen holiday spirit

With the Christmas breeze in the air, bar operators and drink-out hosts in sections of the Corporate Area are lamenting the potential impact that a newly declared State of Public Emergency could have on their earnings.

The extreme security measure, which involves restrictions on movement, was declared on Thursday in sections of the St Andrew South and St Andrew Central police divisions. The declaration comes amid a surge in violent crime, particularly in areas like Waltham Park Road, Maxfield Avenue, and Waterhouse, which have become hotspots for gang violence, posing significant risks to public safety. The SOE will last for 14 days, which means it will expire on December 19, six days before Christmas. However, the duration of the SOE may be extended by Parliament.

The affected areas include well-known communities like Whitfield Town, Greenwich Farm, Two Miles, Payne Land, Three Miles, Seaview Gardens, McKoy Lane, Waterhouse, Ferry districts, New Haven, and Duhaney Park.

For some, like a female promoter in New Haven who planned a round-robin event on December 16, this news has come as a devastating blow.

"No where no safe yes but no little warning or dem ting deh. At this point it too late fimi even change mi location for mi little drink out, and it a it mi a depend on to sort out myself and mi children fi Christmas," she said, frustration clear in her voice. "Mi wah tell dem say dem better come pay mi early because a mi say support fi support."

Commanding officer for the St Andrew South Police Division, Superintendent Damion Manderson, said there is a high likelihood that party permits that were issues will be rescinded.

"These persons who have party permits need to reach out to the police before attempting to host their events, as it is most likely that these permits will have to be cancelled. It is a possibility that they will not be able to have their parties," Manderson said.

Superintendent Manderson explained that the uptick in violent crime--five major shootings in the past few weeks alone--warranted the SOE. "We are discouraging gatherings and these public type activities in a bid to prevent these mass shootings within the St Andrew South space," Manderson said. "We want to use this state of emergency to ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens."

Keneisha, a pub owner in Seaview Gardens, says her business was under water and feared this would get worse with the SOE.

"One time mi used to open until all morning, but just Sunday gone the police come and say mi have to close before 11 because dem a shut down the scheme. It rough bad although mi understand say killings a gwan all over the division. Mi also have a drink out a come up this Sunday and mi just have to hope say the people dem come out early and come support," she said.