ST JAMES, Jamaica — Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Homer Davis says the corporation will be adopting a zero tolerance approach to the matter of street vending in the vicinity of the Charles Gordon Market area, starting on December 1.

Davis issued the timeline during a tour of the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay yesterday, where he met with and spoke to vendors who occupy the municipal market as well as those who vend along the streets in what is called the “market district”.

In his meeting with the vendors, Davis reiterated his policy of having on-going dialogue with the stakeholders in ensuring that the decisions taken is done in an atmosphere of cooperation and partnership and stated that the vending outside the Charles Gordon Market will be prohibited as of December 1.

“We will not be doing this in a confrontational manner and that is why we at the corporation continue to have dialogue with our vendors”, Davis said, adding that the corporation has lots of improvements to do at the market and in the immediate vicinity.

He noted that due to the illegal occupation of the areas surrounding the facility and the adjoining streets, plans had to be put on hold.

“There is enough space inside the Charles Gordon market to accommodate all the vendors who continue to sell on the outside and along the nearby streets,” the mayor said.

The areas, which will be targeted under the drain cleaning and improvement aspect include the Market Circle area, Fustic Road, Bevin Avenue and other streets in the vicinity.

Davis also pointed out that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be increasing its presence at the market and the corporation’s private security arrangement will be beefed up to ensure that law and order in maintained in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect.

“We want to ensure that we all operate in a city that has order and a sense of direction which will only be to the benefit of all,” Davis added.