The efforts of the St Andrew Central police to clamp down on vehicles illegally used as public transportation continued this week.

During a police operation on Monday, a number of taxi operators were ticketed after they were found in breach of their licensing contract, while some had no licence at all.

Taxis and minibuses

Taxis and minibuses were targeted, with several receiving summons to attend court. On Friday, 26 persons received summons for various traffic offences and five illegal taxis were also seized.

The police have vowed to continue their operations in the Half-Way Tree, Cross Roads and Papine areas of St Andrew, following concerns over the number of incidents involving abductions, rapes and murders within those areas. The police have inceased spot checks and patrols.

"The recent incidents of abduction and rape have raised a number of concerns, especially where these illegal vehicles are concerned. The objective is simply to make the transportation system safer so we will continue to go after robot taxi operators in these places by increasing spot checks and police patrols," head of the St Andrew Central police, Superintendent Terrence Bent told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Increase in police presence

Meanwhile, persons who travel to and from the affected areas admit to noticing an increase in the police presence and say they can only be grateful.

"As of late the police are really out on the streets and to be truthful it does bring about a sense of security. We have to be thankful for them," Sandy Williams, a store-owner in Papine told THE STAR.

Margaret Campbell, a vendor who plies her trade in Half-Way Tree shared similar views.

"Di police dem a work mi naw lie, dem have di taxi man dem busy ... Some people might feel seh dem a pressure dem but wi haffi memba seh di man dem weh a kidnap and a rape and kill woman disguise demself as taximan to. So wi haffi respect di police dem fi a try mek it safe fi wi," she said.