The National Conservation Commission (NCC) is alleging that problems ranging from drug peddling and the sale of alcohol at reduced prices are occurring at beachs.
These revelations came from NCC chairman Tyrone Lowe, who promised to rid beaches across the island of these unsavoury practices.
He was speaking yesterday at a highly charged meeting with beach vendors at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed, which dealt with problems that have been plaguing visitors, locals and hoteliers.
There are certain areas “that perhaps best characterized these undesirable trends but the complaints are not limited to there – other hoteliers are lodging complaints,” Lowe said.
The issue of chair vending also arose. NCC general manager Keith Neblett pointed out that all chairs which were damaged and rat infested would be removed immediately.
He also said a cap would be placed on the number of chairs any one vendor could have on the beach, but this did not sit well with the vendors.
Licensed vendors voiced their concerns about having to constantly fight against illegal vendors, some of whom started work very early and ended late in the night, unfairly cutting into their earnings.
The meeting also heard from police Inspector Jeffrey Howell, who highlighted the need for beach rangers to have more power on the beaches.
