ST JAMES, Jamaica – Head of the St James Police Division, Superintendent Eron Samuels has sought to assure that law enforcement officials are fully prepared to provide security during the staging of Reggae Sumfest 2024 in Montego Bay.

“We have been preparing, so far we have been properly briefed. We have been detailing the personnel for the event,” Samuels told the Jamaica Observer.

In an effort to prevent the theft or break-in of motor vehicles, the senior cop is appealing to patrons to park in the designated parking areas provided by the promoters of the music festival.

“What we are requesting of persons attending the event is that they utilise the proper parking facilities and not park their vehicles on the main road as it may be vulnerable to theft or break-ins. We are trying to avoid that. Even though we will be having our patrols around, we want to ensure that they (motorists) use the place designated as parking areas by the Sumfest management team.

“There will be adequate parking available, even more than last year,” Eron said.

He also advised licensed firearm holders to refrain from leaving their weapons in their motor vehicles.

“We are encouraging licensed firearm holders not to leave their firearms in their vehicles. Provisions have been made, with the permission of FLA (Firearm Licensing Authority) to have a place for the firearm to be stored at the venue. So we are asking them to not leave their firearms in their vehicles,” said the senior cop.

“We are trying to avoid many of those occurrences or vehicle being stolen so as long as the patrons understand that and abide by the rules they should be fine. Also we will be conducting our searches activities at the gate, so no weapons will be allowed at the event.”

He also sought to guarantee that adequate police personnel will be on hand to provide security for the event.

“We have support from other (police) divisions as we have to continue our regular policing to keep the street safe. Our hotspot policing will continue as per usual and we will still be doing more operational duties,” he added.

In anticipation of increased traffic in the city during the event, Superintendent Samuels announced that our “traffic officers” will be out on the road in the numbers.

“We will have our traffic officers out but at the same time we are asking users of the road to abide by the rules of the road. We find that a lot of times the traffic congestion is caused by persons not obeying the traffic signals and not obeying the rules of the road. For example, when you reach at a stoplight, no left turn on red. Just like in the States where they have right turn on red, there is no left turn on red for us. So we are encouraging persons to abide by the rule or face the consequences of the law in that regard,” he warned.

The festival kicked off with its Family Fun Day at Catherine Hall on Sunday.

It boasts a stellar line-up of performers for the stage shows on Friday and Saturday, among them YG Marley; R&B crooner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Beres Hammond, Capleton, Anthony B, D’Yani, Ras I, Turbulence, Nigy Boy, Munga Honourable, Norris Man, Anthony B, Teejay, Aidonia, Capleton, 450, Luciano, Kraff, Valiant, Ras-I and Sevana.