WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has taken steps to avert a crisis in Negril and the wider Westmoreland entertainment landscape.

A news release from the Entertainment Ministry said Thursday that for years the promoters of entertainment events in Negril have taken issue with the provisions of the Noise Abatement Act and the action of the police in its enforcement.

They complain that the police have curtailed most of the entertainment activities in the area.

In an effort to address the matter, Grange held a series of consultations with key stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Westmoreland, including promoters and the operators/owners of entertainment venues.

The first such consultation was held on Tuesday at the ministry’s office in New Kingston and included promoters and owners/operators of venues as well as Dr Wykeham McNeill, the member of Parliament for Westmoreland West.

On Wednesday, Minister Grange convened a meeting with the Police High Command, led by Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams.

Minister Grange said that after the consultations, there was now “a clearer understanding and appreciation of the concerns of both sides”.

The minister said she was “confident that a way will be found to finally get consensus on what has been a protracted and difficult issue”.

The commissioner said that a happy medium would have to be found so that all stakeholders could co-exist in a win-win scenario.

Commissioner Williams gave a commitment that the police would meet with a wider body of stakeholders in Negril, discuss the matter internally and then come up with a plan of action to address the concerns.

Commissioner Williams also expressed confidence that some entertainment activity would resume during the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, Minister Grange advised that further consultations are to be held with Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Negril Chamber of Commerce.