Letter of the Day | Why do funeral processions need police escort?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to express my urgent concerns regarding the preferential treatment of funeral processions in Spanish Town. It has become a common practice for funerals to be escorted by police from Kingston to Dovecot/Meadowrest.

My main concern is the preferential treatment given to these funeral processions. Police officers escorting them often stop other motorists, giving way to the procession of funeral vehicles. This raises several questions about the legality and appropriateness of this practice. Why is this being done? Is this a paid service, and if yes, who bears the costs? Who authorises this practice? Does the deceased have a first preference for roads in Jamaica? Does the police force have the resources to allocate police officers for such escorts?

Numerous times, I have been held up when I was on my way for important and urgent business, having to yield to these funeral processions. This has happened particularly on Mandela Highway and the Spanish Town Bypass.

This practice is disruptive and inconvenient for many motorists. This matter needs urgent attention and a thorough review to determine whether it is justified, and if the police resources are being utilised appropriately. It is important to remember that fairness and equality are fundamental principles of our society.

It seems those days are gone when only official and high-profile funerals were escorted by the police; now, it seems that every funeral procession gets an escort. This should not be the case, as everyone should have equal preference on the roads. I do not see why every funeral should be escorted into St Catherine.

CONCERNED SPANISH TOWN

RESIDENT