Prostitution embarrassing Montego Bay - Mayor Davis

Montego Bay's mayor, Councillor Homer Davis, says that despite the efforts being made to spruce up the city's image, issues such as rampant prostitution continue to be a source of major embarrassment for stakeholders.

Davis told WESTERN STAR that although prostitution has been a long-time thing in Montego Bay, it does not fit in the overall vision for a resort city.

"There is no doubt that there is a proliferation of ladies of the night in the city of Montego Bay," Davis said. "Unfortunately, there is very little that the St James Municipal Corporation can do because, frankly, it is really a police matter."

Davis said that his hope is that the police will come up with a strategy to blunt the nightly invasion by prostitutes, who are sometimes out as early as 7 p.m.

The mayor said that in keeping with the long-term plans for the development of Montego Bay, it is important that the matter is addressed quickly as the city could do without the nuisance and molestation, of which the prostitutes are sometimes accused.

"At our recent (municipal corporation) meeting with the vendors, I believe the St James deputy superintendent spoke to the matter of prostitution," said Davis. "The police have theorised that it has created some level of disorder and I am sure that they will be taking steps to try and minimise it as much as possible because it is an offence."

The prostitutes frequent downtown Montego Bay, particularly Harbour Street, around the Old Shoes Market.

Some are known to be very aggressive, and regular fights are a feature of their quest to attract the attention of potential customers.

"I can recall just recently that the police arrested and charged a number of them," said Davis. "I know that from time to time, the police clamp down on them. So I would imagine that it is an ongoing exercise," he said.