Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) divisional commander for St Thomas, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rohan Ritchie, is reiterating the importance of permits for the staging of events.

Speaking to JIS News following a meeting with event organisers and promoters at Morant Bay Police Station recently, DSP Ritchie said that securing the required permits serves as a control mechanism, enabling the police to effectively carry out their duties in keeping citizens safe and secure.

“In many ways it aids the police to control these spaces where parties are held,” he noted. “By virtue of the number of entrepreneurs and the number of party permits that are being applied for, it allows law enforcement to also streamline the areas that we need to pay attention to in terms of public health and public safety when we’re dealing with a general gathering of persons,” he added.

Event organisers are required to have permits from the police, the local authority, and a fire certificate from the Jamaica Fire Brigade in some cases.

They are advised to apply for these documents at least 10 clear days before the date of the event and to adhere to the guidelines and allowances they provide, especially the Noise Abatement Act.

Approximately 50 event organisers attended the meeting with members of the St Thomas Police Division.

DSP Ritchie, who has 28 years of experience in the force, and assumed command of the division recently, reported “very strong support” from the people of St. Thomas.

“The citizens have reposed a lot of confidence in law enforcement in the parish and we reciprocate by building partnerships and equally we put the same confidence in them to uphold the rule of law and to keep the peace,” he said.

He noted that part of his strategy is to “meet [people] at their level. I speak to them in their language”.

“It is not just speaking to them, it’s a reasoning, because while I might be the commanding officer for the division, I am the chief servant here. I’m equally the chief partner of the citizens,” DSP Ritchie said.