‘Go look fe gunman an’ mek we live’ - Montego Bay street vendors say cops should target ‘real’ criminals

Western Bureau:

It is not a happy time for vendors operating illegally on the streets of Montego Bay, as their survival is dependant on winning the cat- and-mouse situation they have been playing with the authorities.

The aurthorities have taken a zero-tolerance approach through the 'Operation Restore Paradise' initiative, which was recently extended for another 90 days after an initial one-week run.

"Dem a focus pon de wrong. Vendors nah murder nobody, we just try fe earn some money fe tek care a weh family," said Maxine, who buys ground provisions from rural famers and sells them on the streets of the western city.

Create own employment

"When me lef school over 30 years now, me couldn't get a job so mi create me own employment," the woman told WESTERN STAR. "A vending send mi pickney dem go a school and right now de last one deh a community college, so a nuh waste me a waste mi time.

Mi prefer fi stay out yah and run from police than fe go clutch (thief) or sell mi body (prostitution)."

However, while the first week of Operation Restore Paradise saw some 60 persons being arrested for various offences, including illicit vending, Superintendent Vernon Ellis, the commanding officer for St James, said he is pleased with the level of compliance he has been getting from the vendors.

"When you consider that some of them have been out here since I was a schoolboy, I have to commend them for responding so well," said Ellis.

"It should be noted that not all of them are illegal vendors.

Some are legitimate vendors who are on the streets legally, but unfortunately, they sometimes leave their designated area and walk with a few items in their hands to busy streets like St James Street, where they feel it is easier to make a sale."

However, some of the more rebellious vendors are adamant that they will not comply.

"Mi just mek up mi mind fe play hide-and-seek and tek me chances," said popular vendor 'John John', who has had his goods seized on numerous occasions by wardens assigned to the St James Municipal Corporation.

"De mayor and him police friend dem fe go look fe 'Prekeh' (most wanted man Delano Wilmot) and 'low we mek me work and tek care a wi family."

Street vending has been a major headache for the authorities in Montego Bay over the years.

The vendors are linked to the constant build-up of garbage on the streets, traffic congestion and general disorder, to including drug peddling in the public space.