Curfew sparks confusion in Old Harbour

Initially implemented at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, the curfew has been extended twice and will now remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18.

According to the JCF advisory, issued via social media, all individuals within the curfew boundaries are required to remain indoors unless granted authorization by the ground commander.

However, in the community of Old Harbour, part of the St. Catherine South division, daily life appears unaffected with residents and businesses being largely unaware of the restrictions.

Disparity in Enforcement

While small businesses in Old Harbour were instructed to close by police, larger and more prominent establishments remained operational. This inconsistency has led some residents to question whether the curfew protocols are being uniformly enforced.

Superintendent Leighton Gray, Divisional Commander for St. Catherine South, addressed the situation, stating: “Some businesses, depending on the nature of their operations and the risks they attract, may be allowed limited operation. In areas with higher crime rates, we want to ensure the safety of patrons and business operators.”

Despite these precautions, investigations by Old Harbour News reveal one homicide for the subdivision of Old Harbour since the start of the year.

So far St Catherine South and St Andrew South lead the way with five murders each as the country recorded 34 murders in the first 11 days of the new year. Twenty-six murders were committed during the same period in 2024.

Confusion Among Residents and Businesses

Many residents expressed confusion over the curfew’s imposition, with some only learning about it after the fact. Treacha Reid, President of the South St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce, shared her experience: “I didn’t know there was a curfew! A colleague called to ask, and I was completely unaware. When I contacted the police station, I couldn’t get through. Eventually, I spoke with an officer who confirmed it after checking.”

Randy Finnikin, a social activist and convenor of Citizens Action Against Crime, had a similar experience. “I only found out about the curfew last night at 7:30 while at church. We carried on with service until 9:30, as there were no visible signs of enforcement,” he tells Old Harbour News. “I officially received notice this morning around 7 a.m., but I’ve yet to see any security personnel.”

Denise Thompson, a grocery shop operator, echoed these sentiments, saying: “I didn’t know about any curfew. While passing through town, a restaurant owner mentioned police shutting down a few businesses, but places like KFC remained open with long lines.”

Calls for Better Communication

Residents and business owners are now demanding clarity on the curfew's implementation and questioning the lack of proper communication. Superintendent Gray explained that the curfew was announced via social media, but many residents argue this method was insufficient.

“Not everyone uses social media,” one resident noted. “We need a more effective way to inform the public about measures like this.”

As the curfew continues, residents urge the JCF to provide clearer guidelines and ensure consistent enforcement to prevent further confusion.
 

The blanket imposition of a curfew seem to be a knee-jerk response to the spike, however, it is the implementation that many here in southwest St Catherine finds baffling. With general elections expected to be called before September, the situation across these police divisions has the potential to become a political hotbed in the days ahead should this practice continue.