Police: Please, report extortion!

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

THE CLARENDON police are appealing to persons who are victims of extortion to report it.

Carol McKenzie, superintendent in charge of operations, Clarendon division, posited that while the police are aware that extortion activities are taking place, there is nothing they can do unless a report is made for them to take action.

"So we are asking persons who are affected by this activity to come and make a report to the police so we can tackle the problem."

Inspector Owen Brown, sub-officer in charge of The Community Safety and Security Branch, Clarendon division, said persons are fearful of the possible consequences if they report extortion.

"So what we find happening is that persons just continue to pay to keep their lives and their business going."

He noted that extortion happens in several ways: A taxi operator has to pay a 'fine' on every trip he makes or members of the business community have to pay money to keep their businesses open.

"We try to set up a business watch in May Pen to get the business people together and get them to understand that if they work together, we can help them," said Brown.

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