Andre Williams, STAR Writer

A mere four days before Christmas and downtown vendors are complaining that the Yuletide season has offered them little or nothing thus far where sales are concerned. Many are praying for a turnaround.

This time of the year, vendors are usually in anticipation that sales stand the possibility of booming as several people venture to the commercial zones and purchase various commodities for the Christmas.

Omar Gordon, a vendor, said, "Jah know, right ya now the Christmas look a way. Last year did better but last year wasn't all good either. This year, di people dem really a hold back. Who a buy a go for the cheaper things cause u know we sell things ina different price range."

Praying

He continued, "A bare bleaching (no sleep) we ago gwan wid fi see if things pick up over the weekend. Nobody nah pack up dem goods."

A lady who operates from inside the Pearnel Charles Arcade told our news team that she is hoping and praying for better days.

She said, "No money nah run. People a say di ting tun up but we sales tun down. Jus look round if you see no pepper light more than so. From mi born mi never see this yet, and mi a old old woman. Just have to ask father God for a quick turnaround. Me still give thanks for the liitle weh come my way same way."

There are others who gave THE WEEKEND STAR different accounts.

Other vendors said though sales were slow, the police officers are to be blamed because they refuse to be lenient.

A female vendor reasoned: "Time hard and everybody have to be looking it so di police dem fi jus have a conscience and let certain things slide. Dem a tek weh people goods and a make di people dem run up and down, you can't settle to catch no sale."

A policeman on patrol downtown said the lawmen's job was to maintain order in the commercial environment.

The officer said, "We are not harassing anyone. The consumers need place to walk, motorists need place to drive and if we allow these vendors to have their way, in my estimation, there would be greater confusion and slow up commerce. At the end of the day, law and order must prevail, we not stopping anyone from making some Christmas money."