MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon has added his voice to fears of public health officials that unwholesome products could be entering Jamaica’s food chain in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Vernon told the Jamaica Observer that there have been instances of looting in St James where goods rendered unfit for consumption have been grabbed by the looters.

“I am encouraging persons who are looting to cease from doing so. Cease the looting, you are putting other persons at risk,” said Vernon.

“When you loot contaminated goods you do one of two things or both, you consume it or you resell it and someone consumes it [and] you can create an epidemic in our city. We can’t afford to be dealing with an epidemic and a recovery effort in the Melissa aftermath,” added Vernon.

Indications are that looters have hit several establishments in Montego Bay including the MegaMart store in Catherine Hall, and an appliance store on Barnett Avenue. But there are fears that most of the looted goods were spoilt when flood water drenched them during the passage of Melissa.

The condition of the items have not stopped people from taking them even though some were found in piles of mud with possible further contamination from chemicals which overturned in the flooded buildings.

“You are looting contaminated goods, you are damaging people’s business and you are creating more disaster than we already have on our hands,” Vernon warned.

He urged people to end the looting and warned that if they continue, they will be engaged by members of the security forces who are on the streets of Montego Bay protecting residents and businesses.

“I am urging persons, I am cautioning persons because the police are on standby. They are well aware and they are ready to take the necessary actions to reduce the looting across the city of Montego Bay,” said Vernon.

He called on people involved in the looting to instead focus on helping others during this disaster.

“Focus on recovery, focus on helping each one to build one so we can recover. Looting is tearing down each other, cease and desist,” urged Vernon.

So far the police have not reported that they have arrested and charged any of the looters but police sources in St James say several people believed to be involved are being tracked by investigators.

Montego Bay has begun to slowly regain some its life with a number of stores and businesses reopening after the devastation brought on by Melissa on Tuesday.

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