Foul break-ins

Police encourage use of shuttle system to National Stadium

Chad Bryan, Sunday Gleaner Writer

A police officer stationed at the National Stadium Police Station on Arthur Wint Drive in St Andrew has advised that motorists who attend events at the stadium utilise the special transportation arrangements where provided. This is in order to reduce the theft of vehicles and break-ins during events at the sports facility.

The officer said a special transport system provided by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) was put in place for the recent football match, similar to what happened during last year's Jamaica 50 celebrations, the Gibson Relays, and other major events. However, some motorists tend to ignore the arrangements, taking parking offers from persons in communities around the stadium, who sometimes facilitate the criminals.

The officer, who declined to give her name, was on patrol during the football match between Jamaica and Panama on Friday, March 22. Although there were break-ins and thefts, she said they were fewer than on previous occasions.

"Yes, there were not many break-ins at the last match, maybe two or so inside the stadium, but it has been worse in the past. Vehicles are also stolen from inside the stadium, even when a ticketing system is in place and you cannot leave the stadium without the ticket," the policewoman said.

She pointed out that the thieves show a particular preference.

"They usually target Toyota, Nissan and Honda vehicles - usually, the Proboxes, Beltas, but Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas on a whole - not usually the high-end motor vehicles," she said.

Persons who attend events at the stadium sometimes park their vehicles in Swallowfield, on Roosevelt Avenue, Arthur Wint Drive, Tucker Avenue, Tankerville Avenue and along Mountain View Avenue. There are often 'parking attendants' in these places.

"They come out and offer you parking and offer to keep your vehicle safe while you are in the stadium, when, in actuality, they are calling in the thieves or assisting the thieves. What we try to do, we try to tell them to go home. But there is not enough police to man everywhere that persons have parked their vehicles," the corporal said.

Corporate communications manager of the JUTC, Reginald Allen, said that a special transport system is provided to downtown Kingston, Half-Way Tree and Harbour View.

The officer advised that more persons attending events at the National Stadium should utilise the special transport system or take taxis.