A dedicated police outpost is slated for Jimmy Cliff Boulevard as part of an ambitious effort to convert the coastal thoroughfare—long marketed as “the Hip Strip”—into Montego Bay’s first Business Improvement District (BID).
Mayor Richard Vernon confirmed this week that the St James Municipal Corporation and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) are mapping out the installation at Old Hospital Park, repurposing existing structures to fast‑track the project.
“Tourism accounts for nearly a third of Jamaica’s GDP,” Vernon said at a press briefing outlining the corporation’s 2025/26 priorities. “We have a duty to reinforce visitor confidence and protect the businesses that keep this sector vibrant. A visible, permanent police presence on the Strip is central to that mission.”
Safety first, commerce second
The boulevard’s hotels, craft stalls, clubs and public beach collectively draw thousands of visitors every week, yet hoteliers have recently flagged a rise in harassment complaints. The proposed outpost, Vernon stressed, is designed to deter crime, reassure guests and underpin the BID’s long‑term viability.
“Videos circulating online and letters from operators underline the need for swift action,” he noted. “People choose Jamaica for sun, sand and—most of all—our hospitality. They must feel secure from the moment they step onto the Strip.”
BID framework nearing completion
Work to formalize the BID is 83 per cent finished, according to the mayor. The policy blueprint is expected to be wrapped up early in the new fiscal year, clearing the way for infrastructure upgrades, coordinated marketing and enhanced public‑space management—all funded by a levy on district businesses.
“Security is the cornerstone,” Vernon added. “Once the police post is operational, the BID can scale confidently and deliver the world‑class environment investors and visitors expect.”
Next steps
Municipal engineers and TPDCo planners will draft timelines and budgets for retrofitting the Old Hospital Park site in the coming weeks. Vernon hinted that groundbreaking could align with the BID’s formal launch but cautioned that final approval hinges on stakeholder consensus and Ministry of Tourism sign‑off.
“Every dollar spent to secure the Strip is an investment in Jamaica’s economic engine,” he said. “We will activate every mechanism at our disposal to protect it.”
With legislative groundwork almost complete and security planning now in motion, Montego Bay’s signature waterfront promenade is poised for a transformation that pairs commerce with peace of mind—setting a new standard for resort‑city revitalisation across the island.
