KINGSTON, Jamaica — Members of the security forces along with representatives from the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) this morning toured the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston as the authorities seek to reassure vendors and shoppers that the area is safe for commerce.

The move follows the high level of violence that has been rocking the area in recent months. 

The authorities walked through the market, greeting and conversing with vendors and shoppers as they shared safety tips and addressed concerns.

In November, vendors in the market fear for their lives following the shooting death of a colleague, 49-year-old Peter Nelson.

The Coronation Market usually sees a drop off in business whenever there is an outbreak of violence in Kingston’s west end.

“I am in fear because I don’t know what’s next,” one vendor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at the time of the shooting.

“It wasn’t like this. Business is getting slow and the people don’t want to come here to buy. The people who we use to buy goods from are also in fear, they don’t want to come here either,” she added.

Racquel Porter