Biblical Streets: Crime slows Luke Lane's potential

When Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the state of emergency in sections of the Corporate Area would include Luke Lane, the residents of the west Kingston community breathed a sigh of relief.

"State of emergency is the best ting that happen to Luke Lane in a long time. A over 15 years me a do this, and in recent times, a nuff customer me lose because them nah venture this part a the world. One time, all the street lights the man dem damage so dem can keep up foolishness," said business operator Cecil Maragh.

"Mi no know wah happen to the youth dem. It is like a culture or a generation curse yaah man. If me tell them to try learn even the trade whe me a do, dem naah do it, but them would quickly go town go collect extortion, and that really sad. Me see the man dem bruk a shop whe deh here for years, and a deh so me know it really a get out a hand," Maragh added.

The frustrated businessman said that most of the crimes committed in Luke Lane are done by men outside the community.

"Nuff time me tink to move mi business go on the road because me can't bother wid the idiot ting, enuh. My place never broke inna yet, but others feel it. Me love Luke Lane, and me just want to see it a run good," he said.