Extortion resurfaces downtown

• Thousands of dollars taken from motorists for parking in certain areas

Extortionists HAVE resurrected their trade in sections of downtown Kingston, netting thousands of dollars daily from motorists for parking in a number of areas.

A covert operation by The Gleaner found that thugs converged on premises owned by the Kingston Parish Church, opposite the Pearnel Charles arcade and have been using the facility to extort money from motorists.

One motorist told The Gleaner that when she was about to exit the premises a young man approached her car and demanded $100 for parking. The motorist, who asked not to be named, said she had no choice but to pay as she felt intimidated.

Bishop of the Kingston Parish Church E. Don Taylor said he is aware of the illicit activity taking place on the church's property. "They have no authority to do that, they are doing that on their own volition and creating a problem," he said.

Nothing to do at the moment

Taylor said there is nothing the church could do at the moment to prevent the thugs from extorting motorists who park on the land. However, he revealed that the church has plans to establish a car park to earn an income from the property.

Bishop Taylor said whenever the church hosts a function, guests use the parking lot under the supervision of the police. However, as soon as the ceremony ends and the police leave the area, it is back to business as usual for the extortionists.

A parking lot in the vicinity of West and Pechon streets, near the bus park, where Portmore buses terminate, has been teeming with young men who collect a 'bills' ($100) from motorists to park on the grounds. The Kingston and St Andrew Corporation said it does not own or have control of the property. However, it is not clear whether it is Government or private owned.

A senior police officer told The Gleaner on Tuesday that efforts have been made in the past to crack down on thugs operating in various areas. However, he said the police planned to change their strategy in cramping the extortion racket affecting motorists.

Late last year, the Area Four police said they had made signifcant breakthroughs in arresting persons for extortion-related incidents.

The arrests came on the heels of the extradition of former West Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who is now in the United States facing gun and drug-running charges.