More vending space for St Catherine pedlars

Hundreds of vendors will be cashing in on Grand Market sales on the streets of Spanish Town, Linstead and Old Harbour, as the St Catherine Parish Council has given reprieve to ply their wares on designated streets in these towns.

Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr Andrew Wheatley, told The Gleaner that the three-day reprieve, which began on Wednesday, resulted from the large numbers of vendors who usually peddle their goods at this time of the year.

The mayor said the council was working closely with the Jamaica Constabulary Force to ensure that vendors comply with the regulations.

"The (general) police are working with the municipal police to ensure that vendors use the designated areas and law and order is maintained in the township," said Wheatley.

He added: "Also at this time, we have to be more conscious as it relates to criminal activities. Criminals will want to use the opportunity to do what they do best: commit crime."

Wheatley noted, however, that unlike previous years, more vendors were using the designated facilities, which has resulted in less congestion on the streets.

Meanwhile, Grand Market activities in Santa Cruz will not go beyond the 2 a.m. deadline stipulated by law.

No application made

Though mayor of Black River, Jeremy Palmer, said he had intended to make an application for an extension of the cut-off time, a source at the St Elizabeth police department said there was no application made for such permission to be granted. As a result, all events in the parish will be subject to the time stipulated by the Noise Abatement Act.

In Trelawny, vendors attending the traditional Christmas Grand Market were relocated to the town square yesterday for the start of the two-day Grand Market.

Scores of vendors were seen displaying their wares as early as8 a.m.

Correspondents Karen Sudu, André Gordon and Ruddy Mathison contributed to this story.