THA electoral rep: Roadside vendors can make an 'honest dollar'

LESS than a week after being removed by police, vendors have returned along the road past Swallow’s Beach leading to the Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

On August 23, chaos erupted as police broke down down makeshift stalls and removed the vendors for selling there illegally. At that time, Senior Supt Rodhill Kirk told Newsday the vendors, whom he described as "illegal," were removed from the area as part of an anti-crime initiative. Kirk said there were a lot of individuals liming around the stalls selling illegal drugs and the aim was to “nip these things in the bud.

"It may seem a bit harsh, but we have to start somewhere. We have the information, we have the intelligence, and we can no longer condone these activities around these areas.”

But THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said there is a bigger plan for vendors and the area.

Speaking with Newsday on August 27, THA electoral representative for the area Joel Sampson confirmed the return of the vendors, saying he is in contact with them and was able to provide a few tents and other items, which he had promised so they could continue working.

“They are happy, they’re in good spirits because they can continue to make their honest dollar.”

He said they would stay there until a build-out is done as the assembly will put up a more permanent structure in the not-too-distant future.

“The THA Division is Tourism is supposed to do a build-out. That would start shortly: we have the designs and everything, so it's just to get the quotations, URP (Unemployment Relief Programme) will do all the infrastructural works.”

Asked about the illegal vending, he said the vendors would require permission from the THA to vend in and around the area.

“In terms of any infrastructure or building structures there, they would have to be given permission from the THA...to vend, which we would give them that permission. We will put a document in place when that time comes."

Sampson declined comment on the police's claim that other illegal activities were taking place amid the vending.

Kirk declined comment on the vendors' return.