Old Harbour police restrict party permits

Event promoters must now conduct their own research and seek approval well in advance because of the very limited amount of permits being granted in the fast developing St Catherine town.

Acting deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Carey Duncan says restricting the amount of permits issued is due to location and the human resource capacity at the police station.

“Our major issue is that anywhere you having live music and the gathering of people, things can happen. And the reality is we have some areas we dubbed as hotspots in our sub-division.

“The Old Harbour Bay area is one of those… and I am speaking generally, because from Dagga Bay to Narine Lane to Thirteen to down at Terminal… we are saying that for these areas it is a no-no for events,” said Duncan, who is the sub-officer in charge.

“We know that when persons gather for these events and persons have their enemies at these events and they’re going to exact revenge they are going to try it; and they are not going to identify who they are going to shoot they are going to shoot five, six and seven people. So these are the realities,” he added.

In 2017 approximately 30 murders were recorded in the Old Harbour space, the highest in its history. However, last year the numbers dramatically declined, Duncan said during a recent town hall meeting organized by the St Catherine Municipal Corporation at the Old Harbour High School.

He commented that as at February 26, five murders have been recorded in the Old Harbour sub-division since the start of this year, one more than the 2018 corresponding period.

Responding to a question raised by party promoter Fitzroy Goulbourn, the crime fighter said: “So it all has to do with the incidents of crime that we’re having and that’s the main reason for not recommending some permits.

“Also from our office we have a resource constraint where officers are concern, so we have taken a decision that during the week we authorise three parties.

“On the weekends we try to authorize five parties and that has to do with how we police the events. Because it makes no sense we put out 10 parties and then we have only two policemen working, it doesn’t make sense.”

Goulbourn’s question is a moot point among partygoers across the country for some time now, as the security forces seek to identify strategies to curtail rising crime particularly murders, while at the same time try to strike a balance and allow promoters to earn from their livelihood.

Old Harbour is historically known for hosting many parties, almost on a daily basis, attracting patrons from both inside and outside of the parish of St Catherine.

Last year the government reaped some success in bringing down the crime rate by instituting state of emergencies (SOEs) and zones of special operations (ZOSOs) in numerous communities. 

And Duncan said these and other crime strategies take into great consideration the safety and security of the people, who he believes have a very important role to play in their overall strategic plan.                 

“We are saying that it doesn’t make sense we have a community that is being engulfed in criminal activities and at the same time we have people coming out for parties like nothing is happening. It can’t work. It has to be one way or the other,” he said.

Once all the indicators are showing positive signs over a prolong periods, in addition to adequate resources being available, the police will be willing to authorise more entertainment events.

“So it is important that as citizens in this community that we try to ensure that we have a peaceful community, a safe community, that when you say you want to have a party I will sign those permits without even looking at them,” said Duncan.

And with limited permits being granted, marketing consultant Bevan Antonio is encouraging event promoters to utilise the free event calendar available on Old Harbour News to avoid the disappointment of having their application denied by the police.

“What Old Harbour News has done allows for better event planning and increase the possibility of getting your permit approve. Remember now based on what the police are saying only three permits are issued during the week and only five on weekends.

“So the calendar of events schedule will guide my decision making as it relates to the best date so as to avoid any clash with another event or based on the fact that that particular week might be booked out based on the number of permits issued by the police for that specific week I’m intending to keep an event,” said Antonio who is based at local manufacturing and distribution company VAP Limited, owner of Pure brand products and Mandingo roots tonic wine.