Cops issue stern warning ahead of JLP conference

Persons attending this Sunday's 76th annual conference of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) at the National Arena in Kingston are being warned not to attempt to carry any guns inside the venue or to hang from vehicles as they make their way to and from the conference.

"The full force of the law will be brought to bear on anyone found in contravention of any of the provisions of the law," the police said in a media release issued on Friday.

The JLP's general secretary, Dr Horace Chang, has estimated that more than 30,000 persons will be at the arena to listen to party leader Andrew Holness and other party stalwarts speak.  He said that the party is mobilising persons from all 63 constituencies across the island to attend the conference.

However, with it being customary for persons attending political meetings to hang from moving vehicles, the police have said that all provisions of the Road Traffic Act will be strictly enforced.

"In particular, drivers are warned not to allow passengers to hang from the doors of motor buses, sit on top of motor vehicles, or have any part of the body protruding from the motor vehicles. This is a dangerous practise, which has resulted in the loss of lives in previous years. Drivers are to ensure that they obey the speed limit and desist from dangerous and careless driving on the nation’s roads," the police said.

In addition to being on the lookout for traffic infringements, the police said that persons entering the venue will be subject to search. The cops said that no firearms, drugs, knives, ice picks, machetes, long umbrellas, glass bottles or other items that could be used to cause serious harm or injury will be allowed inside the venue.