ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Police officers from the St Catherine South Division, Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) and motor vehicle examiners, conducted motor vehicle checks across the Portmore Municipality on Wednesday.

The areas of Dawkins Drive (Portmore Mall), George Lee Boulevard, Braeton Parkway and Passagefort Drive were the areas of focus during the operation. Over 400 motor vehicles were stopped and documents checked, some 60 vehicles examined by the certified motor vehicle examiner and some 40 pairs of license plates removed due to various defects.

Two hundred and two tickets were issued for breaches of the road traffic act, while eight persons were warned for prosecution as summons will be served for breaches such as no motor vehicle insurance.

One man was arrested on warrant and is presently in custody.

Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, officer in charge of operations for the St Catherine South Police Division, said the police will continue conducting operations in public spaces in an effort to maintain law and order while reducing opportunities for criminals to commit crimes.

“We implore motorists to comply with the law and cooperate with members of the security forces when requested to do so. We noticed that a number of public passenger operators parked their vehicles due to fear of being cited for defects by the motor vehicle examiner. We observed defects such as worn tires, excessive tint, broken windshields, multicoloured flashing lights and other breaches which make the vehicles unsafe for the occupants. Our public order operations will continue as we try to restore order to the municipality,” he said.