Police must improve record-keeping

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dear Editor,

I had the unfortunate experience of having my motor vehicle registration plates removed for a defective tyre while travelling on Spur Tree, Manchester, recently. I am sure that by now most Jamaicans are familiar with these kinds of spot checks.

I was served with a traffic ticket of $7,500. To remedy the problem I had to buy a tyre for $6,500, buy a defective vehicle fitness fee at the tax office for $3,500 before going to the Examination Depot. This is a total of $17,500.

After getting the vehicle passed and issued with a form showing that I corrected the problem, I started the process of locating my registration plates.

After several telephone calls to find out the specific police station to collect the registration plates in Manchester, I was told to go to the Mandeville Police Station. After arriving at the station I was asked if "a red seam or blue seam collect yuh plates". The police on duty then proceeded to search for the plates - they could not be found. I was then told to "try Williamsfield" (another police station in Manchester).

After arriving at the Williamsfield Police Station, a woman police officer informed me that "that department is closed". When I refused to leave with that excuse she then started to search a book. This book has not been updated for some time - based on my glance - and confirmed by her mumbling that my plates were not listed as being at the station. She also asked, "Ma'am, a red seam or blue seam tek yuh plates?" When I answered, both of us then proceeded to search a pile. She then found my plates so I could start my journey back home to St Catherine.

Locating the plates took an entire day. My questions to the officials are:

(1) Why aren't motorists told where to collect their plates?

(2) Why is there no log kept of plates collected from motorists?

Based on my checks, this is an ongoing effort so I suggest that proper records be kept and information given to motorists.

K Anderson

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

Shaunak16@hotmail.com