Mayor angry at reports of vendors urinating near stalls

Chairman of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation Norman Scott has requested urgent intervention from the St Catherine Health Department to prevent vendors from allegedly urinating and defecating close to where they sell.

"I am told that some of the sellers are defecating and urinating right where they sell. Please do some inspection urgently. It is really nasty," Scott said at the general meeting of the corporation last Thursday. His declaration caused mumbling from the audience.

"I won't be biased, therefore, I will just give you the list of the areas," Scott told Melva Carter, acting public health inspector for the parish.

It was revealed that sections of French Street, Burke Road, Old Market Street and Adelaide Street in Spanish Town are the designated zones for vending. This is valid for the period between December 3 and January 3, 2022. Scott, mayor of Spanish Town, urged vendors to operate within the protocols of the Disaster Risk Management Act and emphasised the need for them to adhere to the Public Health Act. However, some vendors reacted with anger and disbelief at Scott's comments.

"Him bright bad, a which vendor a do dem nasty ting deh?"Angela Pascoe said. "Dem need fi gi de seller dem portable toilets, when did road full and less problem will happen."

Others expressed sadness at the news but hoped that the mayor was mistaken.

"You can't swear fi some a wi, but I don't think it is widespread either. But if it is happening, a wrong ting dat and people fi pay for it," Mitsy Benjamin, a shopper said.

Section (I) of the Public Health Act gives the inspector right to probe the spitting and defecating of bodily discharge in public places.