The St Catherine North police have suspended all permits for entertainment events scheduled for the division over the weekend due to a spike in homicides.

Among the events scheduled to have taken place is the annual memorial for Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett, the former leader of the Spanish Town-based Clansman gang. The memorial was to be held in Dela Vega City last night.

adamant about decision

Persons close to the event said that it was a great financial loss to them and they hope the police would change their stance, but a senior officer at the Spanish Town Police Station was adamant about the police's decision.

''There cannot be the holding of any dance in this division following the rise in criminal activities, especially with nine murders in two days, there has to be a point where the buck stops,'' the senior officer told THE STAR.

The officer said it is the police's duty to protect and serve, and this is what they are doing in preventing any entertainment event from taking place.

Several other events have been denied permits but the memorial is the largest event to be affected, THE STAR understands. In an effort to prevent any backlash, a strong detachment of military and police personnel were placed in Spanish Town yesterday afternoon.

Several residents said they were disappointed by the police's decision. ''Bwoy the ting set a way after people a look forward to show respect to the memory of 'Bulbie' the police dem a stop the enjoyment," said a Dela Vega City resident.

Other residents believe the police are directly attempting to sabotage the event. ''A just fight them a fight gainst the people dem who support de man even in death. Right now it sad that a de so it reach," said another resident.

Bennett was killed by the police on October 30, 2007 in Clarendon.