Downtown Kingston cab drivers fear for safety

Taxi operators are expressing concern about crime and safety in downtown Kingston following the Christmas Day murder of one of their colleagues.

In reacting to the death of 37-year-old Fitzroy 'Donovan' Smith, who was originally from Manchester but lived in Kingston, the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) yesterday expressed dismay at the continuation of extortion downtown despite the presence of police.

In a release, JATOO noted that robberies and extortion downtown are becoming "more unbearable".

"There needs to be more police presence in the market district and not just Parade," said Egeton Newman, JATOO's national coordinator.

Glenmore Hinds, deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, rebuffed the suggestion that there are not enough police in specific areas downtown.

"We have deployed to every situation that we feel the need to deal with," Hinds told The Gleaner.

Smith's death just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Constabulary Communication Network, was the result of an argument with an unidentified man.

Passengers on West Street were embarking the Toyota Hiace minibus Smith was driving when he was shot.

According to Newman, Smith, who has left three children behind, died as a result of an attempted robbery in which the shooter was trying to take a gold chain.

Newman told The Gleaner he was also concerned about activities in the vicinity of the newly constructed Urban Transport Centre.

The transport centre is expected to become operational next month.