A man sleeps on a stall in Coronation market copyright 2010 The Gleaner

 Come ’er an’ buy yuh sweet potato!”  The vendors’ cries echoes across the market.

Markets are a colourful and integral part of our Jamaican culture.  I have fond memories of going to the market and enjoying the interaction between the vendors.

 However, the vendors who sell their wares outside the market have caused problems over the years.  These vendors block traffic and hamper the police from catching criminals who hide in the crowd. 

The condition of the market might not always be ideal but I agree that order needs to be restored to our streets.  No one wants to take away the vendors’ livelihood but when chaos reigns everyone suffers, including the vendors. The recent operation by the police was dubbed ‘Black Thursday’ by the vendors who lamented the move.  In my opinion perhaps there just needs to be dialogue with the vendors to address their concerns about the upkeep of the market.  So what’s your view?

 Teri Ann Renee Paisley (Gleaner on-line writer)