By Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
FOLLOWING GROWING complaints from hoteliers and visitors about increased crimes and harassment on the Ocho Rios waterfront, the St. Ann police is stepping up plans to put in place a 'jet ski squad' to tackle the offenders head on.
This was disclosed by Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of crime in St. Ann, Wilford Gayle, who said that the police are determined to put an early end to the problem of harassment which he described as a serious threat to tourist industry.
He made the disclosure while speaking at the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce Media Appreciation function held at Sandals Dunn's River Resort in St. Ann.
"We are having some difficulties, especially with the (harassers on) jet skis but we have some plans afoot to get some jet skis ourselves to counter their activities."
DSP Gayle said some policemen have been trained already to operate jet skis and that as soon as the police receive their own fleet, they will be conducting regular patrols on the Ocho Rios waterfront.
"There are other plans that we have that I will not disclose now, but we intend to make sure these people stop molesting the tourists," he said Thursday at the function.
Reports are that harassment of visitors by persons operating jet skis has become a major problem over time, by persons operating in the Ocho Rios bay and the beach area of Dunn's River Falls Beach, with several visitors reporting that they have been fleeced of cash and other values.
The St. Ann Development Company (SADCo) has been trying to clear the Ocho Rios waterfront and Falls of the illegal jet ski operators.
On two occasions, the general manager of SADCo, Faith Thomas, was said to have her life threatened, The Gleaner was told, and employees of the company also report similar threats when they try to prevent harassment.
The problem is said to have got worse since the new team of resort police personnel began cleaning up the streets of Ocho Rios on November 13, forcing the pimps and touts to seek out new turf on the beach.
DSP Gayle is promising an early end to all the illegal activities on the Ocho Rios waterfront. Responding to requests for an extension of the work hours for the resort police, DSP Gayle said the matter is being given serious consideration.
