Entertainment

What a Stress! Police presence disrupts 'Stress Free Thursdays' dance

'STRESS FREE THURSDAYS', one of the popular street dances held in Kingston, had its share of stress two weeks ago.

According to reports, the session, held at the Peace Centre on Windward Road in East Kingston, ended suddenly at minutes after 3 a.m. when police entered the premises and began to search some patrons.

Targetted

Apparently this move did not go down well with some patrons, who felt that they were being targetted by the police. The following week, which was just this past Thursday, the numbers dipped sharply.

The session's promoter Marc Johnson, told THE STAR that apparently some patrons felt that their fun would again be disrupted.

"I want to put it out that 'Stress Free Thursdays' is free of all stress," he stated. "This is not an indication of where we are going, we just want to say that Stress Free Thursdays is not ending."

In making this declaration, he appealed to his loyal numbers to return to the session, as it will not become a casualty like some of its fellow street dances. "The event is a rich, positive, and diversified product that contains discipline and a respect for the rule of law...We are not looking at closing down this event. It is for all Jamaicans to come and enjoy. We abide by the Noise Abatement Act and all laws and there have been no incidents so far."

Deputy Superintendent of Police Doric Sinclair, who is in charge of the Kingston eastern police division, told THE STAR that it was not a targetted move to search the premises, but a routine operation.

"We were heading out in that direction and decided to move in and make some searches there," DSP Sinclair stated. "It was not a target on that session, because we are the ones who give them permission to keep it every week, so we know about it."