Security Operations Continuing Into Night
A section of Ocho Rios remains locked down but passage by the roadways is near to normal security forces and the fire services respond to a bomb threat.
High-level police and civic officials say they are taking no chances and a security operation will continue until at least 8:30 this evening.
The North Coast Times was told that bomb experts and dogs to help police were taken through the targeted locations today and no bomb was detected.
The major plaza in Ocho Rios with dozens of businesses including a large supermarket, KFC and Pizza Hut was locked down as well as the Rubis service station and the next-door multi-storey Land Mark building with restaurant.
Police and the Fire Service took the decision to shut down those facilities and redirect some traffic from the by-pass road, following a bomb threat spread issued over social media.
(People outside cordoned off-service station)
Early Sunday morning and afternoon many commuters were stranded or had to move from their regular place of seeking transport at the Rubis station which is not an official bus terminus.
People returning from work by late morning ran into several roadblocks and diversions as a fire unit was put across Milford Road, which accesses several communities and Fern Gully
Senior police led by SSP Dwight Powell were out seeing to it that the entire Eight Rivers Plaza and its businesses were emptied/ The same was done at the Rubis gas station next door as the southeast corner of the town was locked down.
Councillor for Ocho Rios, former Mayor Michael Belnavis said: “This is no joke. What is upsetting is that several businesses had to close. The perpetrator has to be caught and punished.” He told the North Coast Times he was satisfied with the approach of the police which allowed people to use the streets.
