Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Police to meet with Falmouth business community to address nightly lockdown

    Police to meet with Falmouth business community to address nightly lockdown

    FALMOUTH, Jamaica — Tensions are escalating between local entrepreneurs and law enforcement authorities in Trelawny parish following the imposition of a controversial nightly shutdown of commercial establishments. The security measure, implemented at 9:00 pm daily, has sparked significant backlash from business owners claiming substantial financial losses.

    Superintendent Velonique Campbell, commanding officer of the Trelawny Police Division, confirmed scheduled meetings with Falmouth’s business community to address growing concerns. The security protocol was initiated following a recent homicide and identified suspicious activities in the township post-hurricane. “We must prioritize security concerns for the general township,” Campbell stated, emphasizing that the measure aims to address public safety rather than hinder economic activity.

    However, Christopher Jobson, CEO of Falmouth Chicken, provided a starkly different perspective. His enterprise has suffered severe financial impacts since enforcement began on November 16, when police abruptly ordered closure at approximately 9:30 pm. Jobson revealed losses amounting to millions of Jamaican dollars from his restaurant operations alone, with additional unquantified losses from his gaming lounge and bar establishments. The businessman also highlighted the ongoing financial burden of maintaining payroll for his 19 employees despite the forced closures.

    The contentious situation is further complicated by conflicting accounts regarding communication. While Superintendent Campbell asserted that discussions had occurred with Jobson, the entrepreneur and his legal representative maintain they received no formal notification regarding the lockdown’s implementation or anticipated duration. “No one is saying anything. When we ask when the lockdown will end, they don’t know,” Jobson expressed with evident frustration.

    This development compounds recovery challenges for businesses already affected by recent hurricane damage. Jobson poignantly contrasted government encouragement for economic productivity with the police-enforced restrictions, stating: “The prime minister says keep the production wheel turning—and me turn it up—and the police turn it down.”

    Thursday’s scheduled meeting between police officials and business representatives is expected to clarify the security measure’s timeframe and operational parameters.

  • Equality for All Foundation unveils ‘Queer Agenda’ in Jamaica

    Equality for All Foundation unveils ‘Queer Agenda’ in Jamaica

    Jamaica’s Equality for All Foundation (EFAF) unveiled a comprehensive revision of its national Queer Agenda on Tuesday, presenting an evolved advocacy framework aimed at enhancing legal protections and social inclusion for LGBTQ+ citizens. Executive Director Glenroy Murray addressed diplomats, UN officials, civil society representatives, and media members at the launch event, emphasizing the document’s role in articulating concrete policy expectations from the government and broader society.

    The updated agenda reflects both measurable progress and persistent challenges since the original 2018 publication. Murray noted the intentional reclamation of the term ‘queer agenda’—historically weaponized against the community—as a positive assertion of policy priorities. Significant achievements highlighted include expanded mental health services, curriculum reforms at the University of the West Indies, training programs for over 150 social-service providers through EU partnerships, and sensitization initiatives with the Jamaica Constabulary Force supported by British diplomacy.

    Despite these advancements, Murray underscored alarming ongoing issues: 33% homelessness rates within the LGBTQ+ community, widespread discrimination, and insufficient legal safeguards. The document serves as a strategic roadmap across multiple pillars including security and justice, healthcare, education, housing, and family protections. Distributed copies outlined specific recommendations for creating a more inclusive Jamaica, with participation from international partners including Belgium and the United Kingdom, alongside local organizations like TransWave Jamaica and Jamaica Aids Support for Life.

    Murray concluded that while societal openness has gradually improved, formal recognition of the community’s contributions throughout Jamaica’s 63-year history remains inadequate, necessitating renewed commitment to structural change.

  • MoBay mayor to walk the runway at annual Jingle Mingle Fashion showcase

    MoBay mayor to walk the runway at annual Jingle Mingle Fashion showcase

    MONTE BAY, Jamaica — In a striking fusion of civic leadership and cultural celebration, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon will join the runway as a featured model at the upcoming Jingle Mingle Runway event. This annual fashion showcase, scheduled for December 19 at Ashley’s HomeStore, has evolved from its inaugural debut at Margaritaville Blue Beat Ultra Lounge into western Jamaica’s premier holiday networking and fashion extravaganza.

    The 2025 edition carries profound cultural significance under its “Rhythm and Culture” theme, paying homage to the enduring legacy of legendary musician Jimmy Cliff. His monumental contributions to Jamaican music, cultural identity, and global influence will inspire the locally designed collections that will grace the runway. The event will unite corporate representatives, community leaders, and emerging creative talents—all modeling fashion pieces that interpret Cliff’s artistic spirit through contemporary design.

    Beyond the sartorial spectacle, the showcase serves as a powerful platform for Jamaican design innovation. Designers from across the island will present collections that weave together traditional artistic heritage, cultural narratives, and modern creative expression. The event’s organizational backbone is provided by the Young Entrepreneurs Business Network, which originated in western Jamaica and has expanded nationwide to support emerging business talent through networking opportunities and resource mobilization.

    Event organizers expressed particular honor at Mayor Vernon’s participation, noting that his involvement signals robust governmental support for local cultural industries and young innovators driving economic and community development throughout the region.

  • NRSC urges vigilance as western parishes record surge in road fatalities

    NRSC urges vigilance as western parishes record surge in road fatalities

    Jamaican transportation authorities have escalated safety warnings as the nation grapples with escalating road fatalities and complex hurricane recovery operations. The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) has identified western parishes as particularly vulnerable zones where infrastructure repairs and seasonal traffic congestion are creating unprecedented hazards.

    Current statistics reveal alarming trends in road safety metrics. St. James parish has witnessed fatalities surge from 17 to 29 year-over-year, while Hanover recorded an increase from 18 to 20 deaths. Nationwide figures show 308 fatal crashes resulting in 352 fatalities, with motorcyclists accounting for 106 deaths—the highest among all user groups. Pedestrians and private vehicle drivers followed with 65 fatalities each, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in road safety ecosystems.

    Dr. Jones, NRSC vice-chairman and head of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, emphasized the compounded risks: ‘Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath has created extraordinary challenges with ongoing repairs creating single-lane passages and debris accumulation. This festive season demands heightened vigilance from all stakeholders.’

    The council specifically cautioned about increased interaction with recovery vehicles and construction crews throughout western corridors. Executive Director Paula Fletcher outlined behavioral priorities: ‘Speed moderation, traffic law compliance, and substance avoidance are non-negotiable. Particularly crucial is awareness of vulnerable populations including children, elderly pedestrians, and individuals with disabilities.’

    Authorities are advocating for multilayered interventions including enhanced helmet compliance, improved road maintenance, and strengthened law enforcement presence. The NRSC stresses that protective measures must especially target motorcyclists and pedestrians, who constitute over 48% of total fatalities.

    With holiday traffic projections indicating increased volume, the council urges all road users to adopt defensive practices—including pedestrian visibility enhancements and anticipatory driving techniques. The collective approach, officials assert, could significantly reduce the preventable tragedies currently affecting Jamaican communities.

  • Deal with garbagecollectorseekingdoubles

    Deal with garbagecollectorseekingdoubles

    A resident of Mt Hope has raised serious concerns about the conduct of newly appointed garbage collectors serving the community, highlighting a stark contrast with previous service providers. In a letter to the editor, Linus F Didier detailed multiple unsettling encounters with sanitation workers employed by a contractor for the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation.

    The most recent incident occurred on the Sunday preceding Divali celebrations, when a garbage collector approached the resident while holding a half-consumed bottle of beer and explicitly requested “$20 to buy a doubles.” When ignored, the worker proceeded to make the same monetary solicitation to a female neighbor, creating what the author described as an “incredibly disconcerting” situation, particularly for the woman involved.

    This was not an isolated occurrence. Several months earlier, around 5:15 in the morning, the same individual had approached the resident seeking money “to buy some tea.” These incidents represent a dramatic departure from the previously excellent service standards maintained by retired crew members who had served the Mt Hope area for years.

    The letter writer contrasted these experiences with Scrunter’s 2025 parang tribute to garbage collectors, which celebrates their valuable contributions to society. While expressing overall appreciation for sanitation workers’ essential services, the author called on the regional corporation to address the contractor’s personnel issues promptly.

    The correspondence concludes with holiday greetings to all garbage collectors throughout Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledging their important work while emphasizing the need for professional conduct during service operations.

  • Deal with garbage collector seeking doubles

    Deal with garbage collector seeking doubles

    A troubling pattern of solicitation by garbage collection personnel has emerged in Mount Hope, Trinidad, prompting serious community concerns about professional conduct in municipal services. The issue gained attention following a resident’s detailed account published in Newsday’s Letters to Editor section.

    The situation presents a stark contrast to the traditional appreciation for sanitation workers, recently celebrated in Scrunter’s 2025 parang musical tribute honoring garbage collectors’ contributions to community welfare.

    According to Linus F Didier, a local resident, incidents of improper solicitation have occurred multiple times. On the Sunday preceding Divali celebrations, while garbage collection was rescheduled due to the holiday, a collector allegedly approached residents requesting money “to buy a doubles” while visibly holding a half-consumed beer bottle. When ignored, the individual proceeded to make similar requests to female neighbors.

    This was not an isolated occurrence. Several months earlier, around 5:15 AM, the same individual reportedly solicited funds “to buy some tea” from residents. These incidents stand in sharp contrast to the previously excellent service record maintained by retired crew members who served the Mt Hope area for years without such complaints.

    The community has expressed particular concern about the safety implications, especially for female residents approached by sanitation workers during collection hours. The incidents have raised questions about worker supervision and professional standards within the contracted services.

    Residents are calling for intervention from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, urging officials to address these issues with their contractors while still acknowledging the valuable service provided by ethical garbage collectors throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

  • 920 THA workers to get Xmas back pay

    920 THA workers to get Xmas back pay

    In a significant development for Tobago’s public sector workforce, 920 permanent employees of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) are set to receive their long-awaited back payments between December 18-23. The confirmation comes from THA Secretary of Finance and the Economy Petal-Ann Roberts, who verified the payment timeline through official communications on December 11.

    The financial settlement follows a landmark memorandum of agreement signed on December 2 between the Public Services Association (PSA) and the Chief Personnel Officer. The comprehensive agreement includes a 10% wage increase, consolidation of Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019, and substantial back pay totaling $3.8 billion Trinidad and Tobago dollars.

    Hayden Duke, PSA’s Tobago region industrial relations officer, expressed profound relief at the resolution, noting that permanent civil servants would definitely receive their entitled payments. “I am ecstatic,” Duke told Newsday, reflecting on the four-year struggle during which employees worked with 2013 salary scales in 2026.

    The breakthrough concludes a decade-long negotiation period that saw workers initially offered a “utterly disrespectful” 4% increase by the previous administration. PSA President Felisha Thomas celebrated the achievement in a December 10 circular, stating: “Your sacrifice has not been in vain. Today, we are proud to announce that your resilience has delivered meaningful results.”

    The new salary structure will take effect in January 2026, with allowances retroactive to January 1, 2014. The settlement delivers on campaign promises made by current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had committed to the 10% wage increase during the UNC’s election campaign following the PSA’s rejection of the previous government’s offer.

  • WATCH: Manchester police honour longtime school wardens with surprise gift baskets

    WATCH: Manchester police honour longtime school wardens with surprise gift baskets

    In a heartwarming display of community appreciation, officers from the Manchester Community, Safety and Security Branch made surprise visits to two primary schools in Jamaica’s parish on Wednesday to recognize dedicated school wardens for their longstanding service. The initiative, led by personnel from Spalding Police Station including Corporal Oreal Plummer and Corporal George Morgan along with Constables Suewayne Burnett and Kerron Campbell, resulted in emotional presentations of gift baskets to two exceptional wardens. At Mizpah Primary School, Dazlin Fisher received honors for an impressive 21 years of dedicated service protecting students, with Corporal Plummer making the presentation. The team subsequently visited Spalding Primary School where Janet Lewis was recognized for her 13 years of commitment to child safety, with Constable Campbell presenting her gift. Police representatives reported both wardens were visibly moved and expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected recognition of their contributions to student safety and well-being. This gesture forms part of broader community policing efforts to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and educational institutions while acknowledging often overlooked frontline workers who play crucial roles in maintaining safe learning environments.

  • No work, no pay, no mercy: Bloody maths of a broken economy

    No work, no pay, no mercy: Bloody maths of a broken economy

    Trinidad and Tobago faces a severe crime crisis directly linked to economic deterioration and mass layoffs, creating what observers describe as a domino effect of violence and desperation. As the holiday season approaches, the stark contrast between official pronouncements and street-level reality grows increasingly apparent.

    The connection between economic hardship and criminal activity has become undeniable. Recent incidents illustrate how unemployment and financial desperation are driving ordinary citizens toward extreme measures. In Aranguez, a robber wearing a construction worker’s reflective vest—symbolizing the vanished honest labor market—assaulted a 68-year-old pastor for $100,000. This incident exemplifies how traditional tools of trade have been replaced by firearms as means of survival.

    The crime wave affects all socioeconomic levels. While high-profile cases like the kidnapping of Derek Tardieu and his wife Claribel for a $2.5 million ransom capture headlines, ordinary citizens face equally terrifying circumstances. On Caroni Savannah Road, a 64-year-old taxi driver was choked and carjacked by three assailants, demonstrating what commentators describe as ‘the poor preying on the poor’ in a desperate struggle for survival.

    Criticism mounts against official responses to the crisis. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro’s recent assertion that there was ‘no resurgence’ of kidnappings appears contradicted by multiple incidents. Many accuse authorities of manipulating crime statistics rather than addressing root causes. The practice of ‘cooking the books’ on crime data does little to comfort terrified residents who experience the violence firsthand.

    The situation represents what analysts term a ‘pressure cooker’ effect: mass layoffs provide the ignition, unemployment generates the heat, and criminal explosions result. As economic opportunities vanish, individuals facing family responsibilities and bills increasingly turn to desperate measures, creating a cycle of violence that official statistics fail to capture adequately.

    The Christmas season, traditionally marked by celebration and parang music, now unfolds against a backdrop of fear and economic anxiety. The government’s proclaimed resilience rings hollow for those navigating streets where economic collapse has rewritten the social contract and transformed former workers into potential threats.

  • Symbol of hope

    Symbol of hope

    In a poignant display of community resilience, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) hosted a deliberately scaled-back Christmas tree lighting ceremony at St William Grant Park on Tuesday evening. The event, traditionally marked by grand celebrations, instead carried a profound message of solidarity with communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa’s recent devastation.

    While attendance numbers showed a noticeable decrease from previous years, the atmosphere remained charged with genuine holiday spirit. The program featured heartfelt performances from local talent, including the LAUD Dance Ministry and Denham Town Dance Academy. The evening’s standout moment emerged unexpectedly when Ardenne High School student Jovanni Richards delivered a soul-stirring rendition of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ prompting thunderous applause and multiple encores.

    Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby addressed the gathered crowd with a sobering yet hopeful message. ‘We cannot pretend that things are normal everywhere,’ Swaby stated, explaining the decision to scale back festivities. ‘Families are rebuilding and some communities are still trying to get back on their feet. This year’s event was scaled down because we stand in full solidarity with every parish and household still recovering.’

    The mayor emphasized that despite the modified celebrations, the Christmas tree would ‘shine with purpose as a symbol of hope to every Jamaican.’ The ceremony culminated in the collective countdown and lighting of the central tree, followed by musical performances featuring reggae, ska, and gospel selections from artists Dwight Richards and Nazzle Man.

    Organizers expressed particular satisfaction with the community turnout given minimal publicity efforts, viewing the attendance as testament to Jamaica’s unwavering resilience during challenging times. The event successfully balanced holiday cheer with appropriate sensitivity, demonstrating how public celebrations can adapt to reflect community needs during periods of recovery.