MONTEGO BAY, St James – A large number of businesses across western Jamaica closed their establishments yesterday in support of the call by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) to protest the spiralling crime rate.

In St James, a rally organised by the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held in Sam Sharpe Square where the names of the persons murdered in the country since the start of the year were read.

During the rally, which lasted for about two hours, several prayers were also said as churchmen called for an end to crime and violence in the country.

But chairman of the St James Minister’s Fraternal Reverend Carriel Graham in his prayer chided the church, the business community and politicians for “failing the country”.

“Lord we come today to confess the sins of the business community many of whom have exploited and oppressed the poor, and also the politicians, many of whom have taken advantage of our people.,” Rev Graham said.

In St Elizabeth, the business sector there also threw their full support behind the PSOJ’s initiative.

According to president of the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Dr Marc Panton, the response was even stronger than anticipated, particularly in Santa Cruz, Black River and Junction.

“All the credit unions, banks and a lot of the shops actually were closed,” Panton said.

He added that the closure of business places were not the only area that reported success, pointing out that the driving of motor vehicles with headlights turned on was also very well supported.

In Hanover, most of the business places in the parish closed their doors from about 1:00 pm.

“We are solidly behind the PSOJ’s initiative and so we want to send a message to the government,” one businessman in Lucea, the parish’s capital, said yesterday.

In the neighbouring parish of Westmoreland, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Wayne Cummings told the Observer that the support of the business community and the residents was positive.

“More that one hundred persons turned out at our rally in Negril and denounced crime and violence. It was very, very positive,” said Cummings.

But in the Trelawny capital of Falmouth there was a noticeable “business as usual” atmosphere as only a small number of businesses closed their doors. Vendors at the popular ‘Bend Down Market’ were out in their full numbers selling a wide variety of merchandise.

President of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce Dennis Seivwright yesterday remained adamant that the closure of businesses was not the answer to the country’s crime wave.

“It is a cosmetic action. We must become more proactive and positive in the things we do,” the chamber president argued.

He suggested that the commercial sector meet with government and opposition to hammer out and implement creative methods in dealing with the crime issue.

cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com