KINGSTON, Jamaica — There are mixed reviews from various bar operators across the Corporate Area regarding the impact crime is having on their business this holiday season.

A number of high profile murders over the last month, including the killing of five people off Waltham Park Road late November and the fatal shooting of a policeman at a Beechwood Avenue gas station in early December, has again brought the crime situation in sharp focus despite a 18 per cent decline in murders year-on-year up to December 21.

It has led to some Jamaicans stating plans to restrict social activities over the season.

However, Kayon, who owns and operates Whirl Away Bar off Lyndhurst Road, says that while the weeks leading up to Christmas were somewhat stagnant for her business, she has experienced an uptick over the last few days.

“Business is in between. It could have been better, but we ah live, we ah balance and that is the greatest thing…It’s up and down…It hasn’t been bad during the weekends like Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Within the last two weeks coming up to like a day or two before Christmas Day it kind of look a little better but it was stagnant a couple weeks ago,” Kayon shared.

She attributed the downturn in business to the holiday period, noting that customers prioritise other expenses.

“It is Christmas season now so people are going to fix up their house and get their stuff. By Boxing Day you will see people come out more after they are more relaxed, come have a drink and enjoy themselves,” Kayon explained.

While her community is not known for violence, her bar is only a few minutes away from Beechwood Avenue where the cop was killed during a robbery at a gas station, an incident which Kayon noted had an impact on customer behaviour.

“Persons who would come into the community to support us, they kind of stay away a little bit…Some of the people dem fraid, them come and drink fast and them nuh stay cause dem fraid. Most of the people dem fraid fi come out,” she said.

The bar owner added that the increasing cost of liquor has also been challenging for her.

“Liquor is very expensive now,” she emphasised.

Christopher Green, who operates Green’s Restaurant & Pub along Lyndhurst Road, said crime has not had an impact on his business.

“Luckily for me, I guess I am one of few who can say that I haven’t experienced anything in terms of crime that would have any impact on the business,” Green said.

He echoed Kayon’s sentiments regarding the expected decline in customers during the Christmas season.

“Typically it’s one of those time when there’s a downturn in terms of business clearly because of the season. People tend to focus more on clothing or sporting or those type of things. So in terms of the take-up, it is less than normal at this time of the year,” Green said.

At Platoon Gaming Lounge & Bar on Waltham Park Road, bartender Kay highlighted security features which she said makes her customers feel more secure.

“I have to buzz you in and I buzz you out and I have a camera, I can see outside,” Kay shared.

While business fluctuates as is expected during Christmas, she noted nearby shootings which have previously disturbed operations.

“Couple weeks ago there was a shooting but after the curfew lifted it was back to business as usual,” she said.

The bartender at Norma’s Pub just seconds away had similar sentiments.

“Yeah, sometimes dem lock the bar early because of the crime so when police come we just have to lock up,” she said, noting that customers started to avoid staying out late.

“The place start get dead. Nobody never really did a come out, sometimes they would come out early and go back in,” she added.

For Frank, who owns a bar off Pechon Street in the heart of downtown Kingston, the season has been particularly tough.

“It rugged. Nothing nah gwaan. Town down. Nobody weh fi buy nuh deh yah. Look at the place, you see nobody a walk? More car in town than people. Normally one time, I would have all five, six man out there so a drink,” he shared.

Though he is unsure what is impacting his business, Frank noted traffic changes for the last three weeks which he said have turned the street where his bar is located into a one-way. This, he said, has resulted in even the Wray and Nephew truck not doing usual deliveries.

“The government block up the road. Wray and Nephew not doing any delivery. From week we cyah see nuh truck cause the truck cyah come up the one way. Nowhere not there for the truck to pass so that is the problem,” he explained.

Meanwhile, one of Frank’s patrons suggested that the lack of customers was due to crime in the community.

“Robbery and the gunman dem too. Tired of dem too. Dem make the people dem nah come a town come support we again. Town a mash up. The gunman and the robber dem a mash up town too. Every minute you hear a man get shot around there, people dem from woi woi nah come support we again cause dem fraid,” he said.

Frank added that liquor prices are also affecting his business.

“Second thing is rum cyah get. Everybody a sell rum, is like a cocaine dem a sell. You go to one wholesale and they sell it for $3,800, and the next one they sell it for $3,600. Things nah work out,” he said.

— Kelsey Thomas