FALMOUTH, Trelawny — The Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has reported receiving complaints of land grabbing in several sections of the parish as development ramps up.

As a result, Mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager is warning landowners to remain vigilant against individuals who are illegally acquiring and reselling property.

“To our citizens, owners of land, wherever you are, in Scarlet Hall or elsewhere, we have been having some prime examples of persons who are willing to come on to your land and survey it and then claim ownership of your land. Many times, it is when the thing gets too bad that we do know where this illegal subdivision is being done. Many times, our officers don’t know about it until long after,” Gager said.

He was speaking, Thursday, during the regular monthly meeting of the TMC.

Gager warned that without proper oversight, Trelawny could descend into disorder.

“I am appealing to the large land owners, have someone patrol your lands maybe once a month; drive around and see what is happening. Small landowners, too, I urge you to pay attention to what is there,” Gager urged.

“When our team goes to serve notices on all of these illegal structures, we’ll have to serve a notice on the owner of the land too, because you are the owner; you should be looking about your property. Let us not allow Trelawny to develop into a parish of chaos, squatting; taking over lands with no proper roads, can’t be properly policed, no emergency service can’t access these places,” he cautioned.

Gager made reference to a case in which the owner of a large stretch of land in Scarlett Hall discovered that a St Catherine man was attempting a grab of his property. According to the mayor, when confronted, the individual who claimed ownership presented paid up property taxes for one year as proof of ownership.

“To show you how cunning some of these persons are, one gentleman who is a large land owner — I won’t identify him — got news that some equipment was on his place, clearing the land. He blocked the road and he went in, and he found the person who had an excavator clearing away the man’s prime property to… subdivide illegally to sell,” Gager disclosed.

“The owner is paying his land taxes. He forgot one piece… one year. The person went and paid the taxes for the one year, and believe that it gave him the right to the man’s property. “[For] one year you’re going to own a person’s prime land, and you’re going to be expecting to subdivide and make a big profit. And then you head off somewhere else,” the mayor chided.

An occupant who remains on land undisturbed for at least 12 consecutive years may claim ownership under the laws of adverse possession. A simple thing such as a property owner putting up a no trespassing sign can avert this.

During Thursday’s meeting, the Falmouth mayor also cautioned prospective land owners to do their due diligence about ownership before purchasing land as any misstep could be costly.

“You stand a chance of losing your home and losing any investment that is placed on these lands. I hope you will take heed. Be vigilant!” Gager encouraged.

He warned of deals that appear too good to be true.

“There is no seafront land that is availing here for $600,000 per lot. You know that can’t be real. And you know these are criminals at the highest level. So when you see this lot and you like it and it’s overlooking the sea, and your hard-earned $600,000 you take out as full payment and pay it for a piece of that view, you know that you are heading in the wrong direction!” he added.

Mayor of Falmouth Councillor C Junior Gager (right) listens attentively to Shakera Williams McNarrin, community progammes co-ordinator at the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) during Thursday’s regular monthly meeting of the TMC. (Photo: Horace Hines)