Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Cricket World Cup 2007 has been faced with strong resistance from some residents in communities near Sabina Park who are refusing to participate in a census to provide accreditation for persons living in the area.

The census forms part of efforts to facilitate security and other logistical plans during the staging of the international event next March.

Aldrine Hawes, a resident of Hart Street, Kingston 4, says that, after living in the community for decades, it is an affront for anyone to ask her to present an identification card to enter her home.

Ms. Hawes says she will register the strongest protest if anyone tries to prevent her from gaining access to her community without an identification card.

Representatives from the Social Development Commission (SDC) have been conducting a census on behalf of the LOC to ascertain the number of persons in each household, the licence number of motor vehicles and motorcycles, as well as the names of persons who drive them.

Cherell Smith, an SDC representative, says this information is crucial to the organisers of Cricket World Cup 2007, as it will help to facilitate proper security for spectators attending the event.

The organisers of the event have indicated that no stone will be left unturned in their efforts to nullify the possible threat of terrorism on local soil.

Authorities warned

However, when The Gleaner visited several communities in Kingston 4 yesterday, some residents said they had no knowledge of a census or plans to provide identification cards for the people in the area. Others said they had no interest in the exercise, but cautioned against any moves by the authorities to prevent persons from entering their communities during the games.

The SDC representative pointed out however, that homeowners in several areas including Text Lane, Lissant Road, Allman Town and Kingston Gardens have been cooperating with the agency.

Meanwhile, the SDC says it has been working with the residents and business interests in the various communities to sensitise them about plans for Cricket World Cup 2007 and the impact it would have on them.

However, Ms. Smith admitted that there were many who refused to provide information to the census takers.

Cricket World Cup 2007 begins on March 11 with an opening ceremony in Jamaica and ends on April 28 in Barbados. A total of 51 matches will be played in several countries across the region.