NEGRIL, Westmoreland – A protest planned by Negril cabbies fizzled Wednesday in the face of a heavy police presence and lack of cooperation among the taxi operators.

On Tuesday, the National Association of Taxi Operator had told its more than 500 members in the Negril and Savanna-la-Mar areas to stay off the job yesterday.

The strike was called to protest against the police high command’s failure to remove from front-line duty cops who allegedly beat Negril taxi operator Clinton Dawkins last week.

But it was business as usual in Negril for most of yesterday. Cops said a few cars were used to block the entrance to the Negril taxi park at about 6:00 am, but that protest was short-lived.

A meeting was planned between heads of the national cabbie association and their Negril members to decide on their next move, but according to Observer sources, talks broke down and the national representatives left.

Up to late yesterday, the Negril police were maintaining a strong presence in the area.