ST JAMES, Jamaica— President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), Oral Heaven is calling for the reinstatement of a bicycle patrol to increase the police presence in the tourism mecca of Montego Bay.

“This is the tourism capital of the Caribbean. Therefore, the reinstatement of bicycle patrols can significantly improve visibility, accessibility and community engagement. Therefore, we are advocating for the reintroduction of bicycles for patrolling to enhance police presence in key tourist areas, also resources and traffic personnel,” Heaven appealed.

Additionally, the MBCCI president wants the expansion of the police quick response motorcycle team in St James.

“We request the allocation of additional quick response personnel to ensure timely intervention and effective crisis management in our parish,” Heaven urged.

He was speaking at the MBCCIs monthly meeting in Montego Bay on Wednesday evening.

Acting Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Eron Samuels was in attendance at the meeting. He recently took over as the commander of the St James Police Division from SSP Vernon Ellis.

SSP Samuels promised members of the business community to perpetuate Ellis’ work.

“One thing that I can tell you is that we stand committed to do the work that was done before by SSP Ellis. Having been there for two years, working with him, now I understand a lot of the different strategies that were used and I pledge to continue to ensure that we keep those [crime] reductions going,” he said.

“We want to show you that as a division we are capable and able to continue to make this parish one of the safer ones that we have in the country,” he added.

Following the meeting, the MBCCI and the Chinese community of St James hosted a welcome cocktail for SSP Samuels.