20 arrestedd for tourist arrassment in Ocho Rios

[evanovitch]

A joint operation aimed at reducing incidents of harassment against tourists and restoring public order in the tourist resort town of Ocho Rios, has led to the arrest of approximately 20 persons.
At least three women accused of offering hair-braiding services to several visitors, were also nabbed in the mid-morning operation carried out on Wednesday.
Captain Everton Phillips, Manager of the Tourism Courtesy Corps, says the main objective was to reduce the unwanted social harassment of visitors.
“The harassment stems from drivers, contract carriers and operators , to hair braiders offering services all operating without licence as well as persons offering beads and craft items with license.”
He said other breaches were detected by the joint team consisting of the St. Ann Police, Transport Authority, Police Traffic Division and Tourism Courtesy Corps.
Those arrested are scheduled to appear in Court at a later date.

[j-kid]

[blugiant]

so dem waan fe cantrol woo caan profit fram tourist dollars.

[Tropicana]

Well they can be persistent but this is a bit much. I like what RIU does. Twice a week, they bring people from the various craft markets on-site at dinner time and they set up a craft market near the restaurants. Everyone has the same floral print blouse or shirt. The men have black pants and the women Black skirts. The Rastafarian men and women have beautiful head wraps in colours that match the print on the blouses and shirts. Everyone looked very nice. I wish I had taken a photo. I can't find any photos on-line. I saw it at Jamaica Grande one afternoon too.

It makes the whole market experience more accessible and less intimidating. After that I started to venture into the market on my own. It was remarkable even when off the beaten track people recognized me. "Memba you did buy one bracelet fe you auntie from mi de oddah night". Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I've picked up hoodies and reggae boyz jerseys for my son, gratah cake, chocolate, you name it. A guy even convinced me fe buy a roots drink. He was a good salesman and knew EXACTLY what to say to convince me. Another guy had approached me and I turned him down. He came along and said "Mi tot you did seh you noh deal wid roots drinks." My Mom was with me that time and she laughed and said "Your friend knew exactly what to say to convince her." I bought from both of them as mi nevah wanted to cause no conflict.

Last time I was at RIU, there was a nice market area set up on the beach with vendors a few times a week so you no longer had people a baddah baddah you when you try to swim or just relax. There were craft people, braiders, the dreds selling CDs and carvings, the whole works and everything looked very nice and professionally done.

They need more set ups like that so people don't have to walk around pestering tourists. Eveyone deserves and opportunity to earn a living.

[MsExced]

The vendors can be very intimidating one a pull east the other west

[Tropicana]

I used to find them intimidating but I'm cool with them now. Their customer service skills have improved tremendously and the ones in and near Ochi aren't pushy or aggressive.

I am enjoying the market now and I have specific ladies I go and see. You should a see mi try patois "Which pawt mi fe walk fe find Miss Lawna?" "A you name Miss Lawna? Mi wad directed fe ax fe you personally and deal wid no on else."

[evanovitch]

I used to find them intimidating but I'm cool with them now. Their customer service skills have improved tremendously and the ones in and near Ochi aren't pushy or aggressive.

I am enjoying the market now and I have specific ladies I go and see. You should a see mi try patois "Which pawt mi fe walk fe find Miss Lawna?" "A you name Miss Lawna? Mi wad directed fe ax fe you personally and deal wid no on else."

oh saviah pilat me...

[Tropicana]

oh saviah pilat me...

It was someting fe behold.

De people dem nevah laugh afta me dough.

Mi nevah did like de roots drinks but mi did drink dem. Man de guy was a good salesman.