KINGSTON, Jamaica – Kingston Mayor Angela Brown Burke on Tuesday said illegal vending in downtown Kingston has, over the years, caused a level of chaos that is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.

She told the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) council meeting that the Corporate Area was at a crossroads and “we have to do what’s right”.

Over the last two to three weeks, the KSAC has cleared Beckford Street, between Orange Street and Princess Street, of illegal vendors, and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and municipal police have been enforcing the no vending area rule.

Brown Burke told yesterday’s council meeting that enforcing of the no vending area would bring dislocation, but a decision had to be made as to whether there would be law and order or the country would be handed over to criminals.

“The KSAC has a responsibility to see that motorists can drive. Pedestrians have a right to walk on the sidewalk. Persons going to the market have a right to move around without stepping on goods in the street,” the mayor said.

She said that the vendors in the Beckford Street area and around South West Parade fell into different categories.

“Some of them are satellites. Some sell for merchants, some sell for market vendors, some are lookouts, many are thugs. These vendors pay no fees and are a threat to law-abiding persons and to vendors who pay fees,” she said.

She warned that the KSAC would also have to address the challenges with illegal vending in Half-Way-Tree and Manor Park.

“I urge all law-abiding citizens to work to establish a new way of doing business,” Brown Burke said.  Claudienne Edwards