Thieves plaguing Bog Walk businesses

The business community in Bog Walk, St Catherine, is under siege from criminals who use the cover of darkness to carry out their acts.

According to some residents and operators, bars are especially targeted.

"They travel in groups, normally enter the bar, order a drink, then dem start rob everybody inside," Marvelle Thomas said. "The sad ting is that a woman was part of the group the last time they robbed de bar on the highway." Even the sick have not been spared by the thieves, as two weeks ago, persons who were waiting for the opening of the Knollis Health Centre in Bog Walk were robbed.

"Yes it is true, as one man complained about how di bwoy dem out of order fi rob the $600 that him have inna him name," Luna Davidson, a businesswoman, said. The stakeholders said the businesses are suffering losses despite investments in security.

"Can you imagine that one week after dem broke into the bar and stole the cameras, dem come rob it [again]? Looks like dem tief have inside help," Everton Lawrence, a security guard, said.

Councillor of the Bog Walk division in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, Peter Abrahams, said that he is aware of the issue.

"I have been making representation to get the police to help the residents to deal with a migrant criminal taking over Bog Walk," Abrahams said. He said he is now working closely with the police to help and address the situation.

But Inspector Carl Malcolm of the Bog Walk Police Station said victims need to formally report these incidents.

"We have received no reports of these alleged robberies, but we are working to deal with any antisocial or criminal behaviour within the space," he said.

Malcolm also said that the police are working to ease the traffic congestion in the town with assistance from the Jamaica Defence Force.