MONTEGO BAY, St James — Councillor Richard Vernon (Jamaica Labour Party, Montego Bay South Division) says the stigmatisation being faced by residents of Canterbury in this western Jamaica parish is a disservice to the level of social transformation which has taken place there over the last five years.

Vernon, who is also the deputy mayor of Montego Bay, told the Jamaica Observer that, though various agencies have partnered with the community to develop programmes aimed at social growth and transformation, some jobseekers living there are still being plagued by stigma at the hands of prospective employers.

He said this stigma stems from the violent past of the community which once held the title of one of St James’ most crime-infested areas and has had multiple travel advisories issues against visiting there. However, the councillor pointed out that the stigma was negatively affecting the growth that have come through engaging and partnering with the residents living in the once volatile community.

“Anybody who is advising against Canterbury or employing people from that community is destroying the gains of social development in that area. Anything being said against those gains is an indictment on social transformation because they have transformed over five years and in many cases, five years is a long-term impact,” Vernon told the Sunday Observer.

Stating that residents of the other inner-city communities he represents have also shared concerns regarding not being employed due to their home address, Vernon said these youngsters deserve an opportunity to continue to uplift themselves.

“There is a stigma, not only in Canterbury, but when potential employers hear that you are from Canterbury, Gully or Albion Lane there is a reduced chance that you will get the job. Oftentimes I have to tell people that these youngsters need opportunities too and if you are going to help them to enhance the gains that they have made over the past five years, employ them,” the councillor explained.

Vernon told the Sunday Observer that 2023 will mark the community’s fifth year without a single recorded murder or major incident taking place. He said that this is a major achievement in contrast to where the community was, and sang praises to the residents of Canterbury whom he said have worked to transform their community.

Over the last five years, the community has seen the introduction of their Canterbury Ambassador Group, a youth-led organisation, which took on a recycling project aimed at removing and ultimately reducing the number of plastics entering the North Gully and flowing into the tourism-reliant city’s beaches. With the help of other agencies, the ambassador programme has organised sporting competitions, fun day events and a summer school.

Vernon also credited the Sandals Foundation and the Social Development Commission (SDC) for playing a major role in pushing for social change in the community.

“The Sandals Foundation has been with Canterbury for some time now helping them with back-to-school and Christmas treats. The Social Development Commission has done work through their programme,” he said.

“The Member of Parliament [Heroy Clarke] and I have been engaging the people, keeping them in tune as to what is happening and the next development that is afoot. So a lot has been done in helping the community to transform and I have to give credit to the people because they have bought into the vision and worked with us. We shared with them what we wanted to achieve to see a better community,” the councillor added.

With the combined efforts by the residents and agencies over the years, Vernon is questioning the actions of prospective employers whom he said were stigmatising job seekers living in the community.

“Let us advance the development agenda because they have done well for themselves in keeping down the murders and taking Canterbury’s name out of the bad book for so long. Why not help them? Why not encourage and show them that what they have gained over that period is why we are employing you now or enrolling you into any institution that they are applying for?” Vernon asked.

The councillor added, “A child who is five years old now has never witnessed a murder in Canterbury. That is significant and I don’t think that they get enough credit for the way they have volunteered, and I say volunteered because many programmes have been done in other communities and they are still the same.”