Strict measures to keep Falmouth safe this holiday

Falmouth's Mayor Councillor Colin Gager says that the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to street-vending in Falmouth during the Christmas and New Year holidays and is warning that offenders will be prosecuted.

"The streets of Falmouth are now strictly pedestrianised to facilitate shoppers and visitors, so no vendors will be allowed to sell along the streets," said Gager. "We have now moved over into our new market, and we have made the necessary preparation to facilitate all vending around that area."

Gager said that the TMC rented a property next to the market and acquired a large tent to facilitate hundreds of vendors. "We have trained and deployed more municipal police. We have also trained private individuals as municipal wardens and acquired the services of a private-security company to ensure order in the town to include the market."

While Trelawny remains the safest of the four western parishes, Gager is concerned about an increase in murders over last year.

Since the start of the year, 21 persons have been murdered in Trelawny in comparison to the 26 killed in 2017.

The mayor has initiated meetings with the police to discuss strategies to ensure the safety of shoppers and residents during the holiday period.

"We have now joined forces with the police to ensure a safe Christmas in Falmouth," Gager said.