MONTEGO BAY, St James — Delinquent property owners in this parish may be penalised by the St James Municipal Corporation (SJMC) if they don’t reduce the health and safety risks associated with their overgrown lands, acting mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (Jamaica Labour Party, Montego Bay South Division) has warned.

“Too often we get calls and letters coming to the mayor’s office, complaints coming through councillors, the Community Development Committees and the Parish Development Committees about lots that are owned, not by the Government, but privately that are posing a risk to their communities,” he said at the regularly monthly meeting of the SJMC on Thursday.

“We are urging property owners to ensure that they keep their lots in good order because if they don’t, we will be taking action. We are prepared to take action and there will be penalties,” Vernon added.

The owners, he said, need to take better care of their property. “What we find is that we have a lot of overgrown lots within the municipality, and they are posing all sorts of threats… a haven for rats, individuals to hide in and carry out all types of mischief, among other things,” he said.

“They are posing threats to community safety and security, health and, of course in the area of social upliftment, it just does not look good within the communities,” Vernon said.

“Once again, we are urging you to take care of your properties or we will have to step in,” the acting mayor added.