KINGSTON, Sept. 10 (JIS):
The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has met with the police to roll out a more targeted and sustained programme to tackle illegal vending, and restore order to the streets of the Corporate Area.
Mayor of Kingston, Senator Angela Brown Burke, told the monthly meeting of the Council on Tuesday (September 9), that the problem appears to have worsened over the past several weeks, with an eight-year old boy suffering an eye injury after he came into contact with metal hangers on display on a sidewalk along one of the city’s streets.
“I have received several complaints of the level of intimidation meted out to pedestrians and motorists by vendors, who have their wares blocking access to our roadways and pathway,” she said.
The Mayor, in expressing regret at the incident, said that she and the Town Clerk have met with the family, and are working with the police in its investigations to find the person responsible for the act of negligence, which resulted in the injury to the child.
“This points out very squarely the reasons why we have been advocating for vendors to remain in designated vending areas. This has only strengthened our resolve to ensure that illegal vending is brought under control,” she stated.
Mayor Brown Burke warned that the Council will be taking a zero tolerance approach to illegal vending, and is committed to ensuring that law and order prevails, “in our markets, in our parks, and along our streets”.
Meanwhile, she informed that the KSAC has removed and demolished 16 illegal constructed wooden and concrete structures, in several communities, which were being used for commercial and residential purposes.
The operations were carried out over several weekends in the communities of Maverly, Duhaney Park, Washington Boulevard, and its environs.
Additionally, notices were served on illegal garages, and eight derelict vehicles removed from sidewalks.
“This clean-up operation will help to make the Maverly Park more accessible to its residents for recreational purposes,” she remarked.
On the matter of the fire at Oxford Mall, which impacted the lives and livelihood of 40 vendors, she informed that the area has been cleared, and plans are in place to have normalcy restored as soon as possible.
“As soon as we are in a position to say exactly how we will proceed, the KSAC will meet with registered vendors,” she stated.