To all concerned about beach vendors!

Since Negril.com started in 1995, there have been complaints online about vendors on the beach. Not the ones simply trying to earn a living and making your vacation stay a memorable one, but the few aggressive, moody ones who have felt left out of the tourism "windfall" and decide to take it out on our visitors.

These few "bad eggs" have come and gone over the years, with some years being worse and some being better than others. But nevertheless, they have been a part of the Negril scene.

Many of you understand the socio-economic dynamics and just roll with the flow, while this can be a vacation disturbing experience for others. This has been a reality Negril and Jamaica has been dealing with since tourism started.

Some complaints have recently become "viral" on social media demanding action by the Jamaican government. Such action has commenced and drug dealers are being busted on our Seven Mile Beach. The illegal horse rides on the beach are also being busted.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/artic...200129699/1373

So action against illegal vending on the beach is being done. The police are doing their job. But it seems that this demand has had some consequences not considered in the original complaints.

The police cannot be selective in their duty, their job is to enforce the existing laws.

A consequence of that enforcement as a previous thread mentioned is that the Patty Man, Norman, the guy with the patties who sells them to many of us on the beach has been removed from the beach. He has no vendors license because he cannot get one. The license he needs simply does not exist under the present laws.

Richard Wallace, the current President of Negril Chamber of Commerce stated in the above article link "Wallace added that there are no laws on the books that effectively protect the tourism industry. “When most of these laws were enacted, there wasn't even a tourism industry at that time,” he stressed.
The chamber president has, meanwhile, called for an adjustment of “the regular laws or the JTB (Jamaica Tourist Board) Act to protect the industry".

For those who want to help, please contact the Chamber of Commerce and let them know of your actual experiences, both good and bad and be honest. As Browns54 pointed out, some of the complaints are an obvious exaggeration, but they still need to be addressed. But there is no need to throw out the baby with the bath water.

The Chamber link is on the main page of Negril.com.

Thanks for reading.

There are street vendors all over Jamaica. Do all those vendors in Coronation Market, Kingston have licenses? Just wondering what the laws actually are...

Coronation Market has many of the same issues and they get busted regularly.

As for the Jamaican laws, they can all be found online.

They seem he’ll bent on killing the Negril vibe. Ridiculous music cutoffs arbitrarily enforced. Removing long time legitimate vendors. What’s next?

Ras,

The longtime vendors need to become legit. Write the Chamber....

They should allow a grace period or temporary license so these people can still feed their families while going through the process.

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Originally Posted by JohnNYC

They should allow a grace period or temporary license so these people can still feed their families while going through the process.

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In reference to the vendors that sell food etc on the beach...
there simply is no license available to become a legal vendor, as Rob said in his original post. Most, including Norman would be very happy to become legal.

http://www.negrilchamber.org/contact/

anyone know if the fruit lady who has the stand by what is now idle awhile is still there?

This is a copy of a letter I just wrote to the Negril Chamber of Commerce -

To whom it may concern -

I have been coming to Negril since 1975. My next trip ( in April ) will be my 34th, and unfortunately may be my last. While I understand the concerns with aggressive vendors on the beach, I cannot see the logic of removing those who have become a staple of life in Negril. I speak of people like Norman, the patty man, Dean the jerk pork man, the ice cream man, the fruit lady, etc.. These people are a large part of what makes Negril the vacation destination of many. Without them, much of Negril's charm is lost. If they need a license, then make one available to them, as it is my understanding that there is not one at this point in time. Regardless, if on my upcoming, trip I am unable to enjoy the many wares and charms of those people I've mentioned (and those I've forgotten ), I will have to give serious consideration to other places to spend my money in the future.

Regards,

Kirt Tompkins

Hey Rob, what about a petitiion of some sort? Bring it to the chamber with thousands of signatures?

Is this a situation where it will take months or longer for the licenses to become available? If they ever become available? If so, what a shame for all of the beloved vendors that we all use....

We will be in Negril the 10th. I told my wife about Norman and her response was : so where can we find Norman? Can he find a place like Tony’s that does not serve food to set up shop until this is resolved? I am sure many of us would go to him if we knew where.

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Originally Posted by Todd

Hey Rob, what about a petitiion of some sort? Bring it to the chamber with thousands of signatures?

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Todd,

Simply write the Chamber as a concerned tourist. Petitions, as in most countries rely on citizens of that country to implement change.

This is a complicated process. Norman and I a few years ago jumped through hoops trying to get the required license. We found there was no final hoop.

The Chamber is currently working on updating the old laws and your input, as a visitor, will be needed to accomplish the goal we all want.

Get your suggestions and information to the Chamber and they will be able to present to the government a proposal that benefits all.

This makes me sick. We were down a few weeks ago. We were eating dinner at Vinnie’s and Norman and his family were walking down the street from Church I believe. Someone yelled out about if he had had a busy day. He replied back. They looked so happy. We will gladly write a letter.

I was just at Negril Beach - 20 days/ December - January - I had no negative experience with the beach vendors. I bought many things that I needed (juices, fruits, foods) - which was more convenient to buy on this beach. Beach vendors are part of the landscape of Negril Beach. I was returning to Negril - after a long time away. It was wonderful to be back in Negril.

I was told Norman sold a bunch of patties today on the beach at CCLP

Sent letter, hope it helps, So sad not to have these vendors.

Here's what I sent:

We have been coming to Negril annually for over 15 years. While we, like most tourists, find aggressive beggars and bracelet sellers unpleasant, we think that many of the regular beach vendors - the patty man, the ice cream man, the fruit lady, the cigarette man, the cake lady, the juice guys - add local color to the beach scene and give Negril a vibe that distinguishes it from competing beach vacation spots. We fully support the need to license and tax vendors, but at the same time we think it's important to maintain the traditions that keep many of us coming back to Negril year after year. Please help to amend laws and establish licensing processes as needed to make it possible for these vendors to continue to operate in a way beneficial to both Negril and to visitors.

This is a sad situation. I really hope there is a way around it all. These vendors are part of the draw to Negril. I've been to other parts of the island and I certainly don't get the same great vibes as I do in Negril. I really hope to see these vendors on my next vacation, minus those that generated complaints for their negative sales techniques.

I just sent a message to the Chamber, hope it does some good
We were just there in mid Dec. I had a patty every day from Norman, nice man I would tip each time later on our trip he gave me coco bread no charge.
We will be in Negril next week hope I can get a patty from Norman?

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Originally Posted by Rob

Todd,

Simply write the Chamber as a concerned tourist. Petitions, as in most countries rely on citizens of that country to implement change.

This is a complicated process. Norman and I a few years ago jumped through hoops trying to get the required license. We found there was no final hoop.

The Chamber is currently working on updating the old laws and your input, as a visitor, will be needed to accomplish the goal we all want.

Get your suggestions and information to the Chamber and they will be able to present to the government a proposal that benefits all.

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Thanks Rob. Letter sent!

Thanks Rob.
Letter sent. Asked for the courtesy of a reply. If they do I’ll update.
This cat and mouse game has been going on for years . They really need to find a beneficial solution.
Maybe if the Chamber hears enough tourist/visitors voices it’ll spur some action in a mutually beneficial direction.

At meetings this has been discussed in the past, but this feels different to me, like something may finally be done.

Everyone concerned please email the Chamber! I wouldn't expect a personal response, but more a traditional "thank you for your comments" type thing.

Emailing today. This was upsetting to hear. Hope it helps. Thanks Rob for the info. I love a lot those beach vendors on our visits. That is the charm and feel of Jamaica for us.

Letter sent and hoping that this will turn into a beneficial thing for everyone !

the last picture reminds me of how much we enjoy the vendors. "its going to be hot hot hot tonight tonight tonight ............

email sent:
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Dear Mr. Wallace,

My wife and I have just returned from our annual 10 day January trip to Idle Awhile Beach and have just learned that police and other security forces have started strict enforcement of activities on the beach.

We have been coming annually to Negril since 1998. At first we stayed at Tree House and now have been regulars at Idle Awhile Beach.

We do find the drug dealers, bracelet sellers and most recently out right beggars as something that should and needs to be stopped. It goes without saying that for safety purposes that horses have no place on the beach.

We are concerned for the legitimate beach vendors and musicians - Norman (Patty Man), Dean (Pork Guy), Cortis (Fruit Lady), Flex (Juice Guy) and the ice cream man all of whom add to the colorful and positive vibe/feel which make Negril unique and special. These and other similar individuals are part of the ambience that create the Negril mystique.

We whole heatedly agree with the need to license and tax legitimate vendors & musicians. We trust that there is some way to revise current laws/regulations to allow for licensing of legitimate vendors and musicians.

Please help to amend laws and establish licensing procedures to make it possible for these vendors to continue to operate in a way beneficial to both Negril and to its visitors.

As you are no doubt aware there is NO place like Negril and that’s what keeps us coming back.

Can someone provide the email address for Mr Wallace?

http://www.negrilchamber.org/contact/

info@negrilchamber.org

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Originally Posted by original spanky

the last picture reminds me of how much we enjoy the vendors. "its going to be hot hot hot tonight tonight tonight ............

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Ya mon Negril vendors are the best. That one looks like he even has the permit strapped around his neck. :)

Has anyone received a reply from the Chamber of Commerce?

Thanks for the address. Email sent

I asked for the “courtesy of a reply “ in my letter but as Rob pointed out you may not receive anything more than an acknowledgment of your letter.
I’d be happy with that. At least I’d know they saw it.
Strength in numbers. Maybe we can all help in effecting some change.

I have emailed with the Negril Chamber of Commerce in the past and while it took 6 weeks they did respond to my email. The response was not a "canned response" but was written specifically in response to my email. So it is likely there will be responses but they may be slow. The email I sent was the middle of last year regarding the live music scene and the important/vital role it plays in helping form the identity of Negril.

I spoke with the Chamber, the emails are being received and read!

Awesome news! Thanks Rob

Letter sent

#FREE NORMAN
#FREE NEGRIL BEACH VENDORS

I've been to Negril 9 times over the past 17 years & the beach vendors are part of the scenery & one of the reasons I love Negril. It wouldn't be the same to me if I sat on the beach & there was no fruit lady passing by or Norman & all the rest. I've bought from both of them. The best pineapple I ever tasted I bought from the fruit lady. I especially like the beach musicians who pass by. I always give them a few $ to sing to me. I honestly wouldn't enjoy Negril as much if all these people disappeared. I have run into some pushy ones on a walk but 99% of the time a no thanks has been enough. The only place I don't like walking past is Roots because some there can be pretty aggressive but I do it anyway & just walk past there a bit faster. I have had a lot of fun talking with some of the vendors over the years. Please don't take them away!

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Originally Posted by SVW

I've been to Negril 9 times over the past 17 years & the beach vendors are part of the scenery & one of the reasons I love Negril. It wouldn't be the same to me if I sat on the beach & there was no fruit lady passing by or Norman & all the rest. I've bought from both of them. The best pineapple I ever tasted I bought from the fruit lady. I especially like the beach musicians who pass by. I always give them a few $ to sing to me. I honestly wouldn't enjoy Negril as much if all these people disappeared. I have run into some pushy ones on a walk but 99% of the time a no thanks has been enough. The only place I don't like walking past is Roots because some there can be pretty aggressive but I do it anyway & just walk past there a bit faster. I have had a lot of fun talking with some of the vendors over the years. Please don't take them away!

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Did you email the Chamber?