MOUNTING concerns over harassment, public disorder, and people with mental health and substance abuse challenges have prompted intensified action across the New Kingston business district.

Minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce Delano Seiveright, and Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby last Friday led police, representatives of government agencies — including the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), which is playing a key directional role — and private sector stakeholders on a walkthrough to identify trouble spots and accelerate corrective action.

Businesses, employees, residents, and visitors to New Kingston have reported threatening and uncouth behaviour, petty theft, garbage being scattered, property damage, and confrontations involving people apparently experiencing serious mental health or substance abuse challenges. There have also been occasional reports of people walking naked through sections of the district.

“This situation cannot stand,” Seiveright said.

“New Kingston is one of Jamaica’s most important business districts and Kingston’s principal hotel district. Thousands of Jamaicans work and conduct business here daily, while international business travellers, investors, and visitors regularly use the area. There has to be order,” added Seiveright.

The intervention is being spearheaded by Seiveright and Swaby, with St Andrew South Eastern Member of Parliament Julian Robinson — whose constituency includes New Kingston — also engaged in the wider effort.

Friday’s tour focused on Knutsford Boulevard, Grenada Crescent, Trinidad Terrace, Dumfries Road, and surrounding areas.

Priority actions include more consistent street sweeping; drain and gully cleaning; repairs to damaged and uneven sidewalks; addressing overgrown tree roots, tree trimming; further streetscaping; improved street lighting; and beautification.

Activities affecting public spaces around Emancipation Park and environmental and public order concerns in the Dumfries Road area were also examined.

Partners in the renewal push for New Kingston examine a sidewalk defect during a tour of the business district last Friday.

Police Inspector Florezel Thompson and his team from the New Kingston Police Post participated in the tour and are assisting with public order and safety issues.

Seiveright stressed, however, that enforcement alone will not resolve the challenges.

“Compassion and public order are not mutually exclusive. People who need treatment and support must get it, but businesses, workers, residents, and visitors also have rights. We cannot normalise disorder,” he said.

According to Seiveright, follow-up is being pursued with Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton and relevant agencies to strengthen mental health and substance abuse treatment, outreach, and rehabilitation support.

New Kingston Civic Association President Dayton Wood is also closely involved, representing concerns from businesses and other stakeholders.

The wider effort involves the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, TPDCo, National Works Agency, National Water Commission, National Solid Waste Management Authority, Jamaica Public Service, National Housing Trust, Jamaica Constabulary Force, health and social service agencies, and private sector interests.

Seiveright said improvements are already becoming noticeable in sections of New Kingston, but stressed that the intervention cannot become another short-term clean-up.

“We are seeing early progress but there is much more to do. New Kingston is too important to Jamaica’s economy and Kingston’s international image for us not to get this right. The focus now is sustained action — a cleaner, safer, better organised and more attractive New Kingston,” declared Seiveright.