St. George’s, February 20, 2009 (GIS) – Tourism Minister Hon. Peter David says he will ensure an amicable resolution to the Wall Street vending situation.
  
 Wall Street, located opposite major banks and other commercial establishments in the Morne Rouge area of Grand Anse, is a popular venue for purchasing food from local vendors.
  
 However, a series of incidents in the area, including an attempted bank robbery last month, forced Police Commissioner James Clarkson to restrict vending after 6 p.m.
  
 For many of the Wall Street vendors, it’s their only means of earning a livelihood, and Mr. David would like to see the whole matter resolved as soon as possible.
  
 “Wall Street vendors are trying to do what all of us as citizens are doing, and that is to make a living,” Mr. David told reporters.  “I do believe, as Minister for Tourism, that we can find a way to facilitate all of the affected parties.”
  
 The popular Town of St. George MP, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, has promised to do all in his power “to ensure the vendors find a solution to their problem, while bearing in mind the interests of the other businessmen in the area.”
  
  The vendors, who have formed themselves into a cooperative to safeguard their interests, have been seeking to have the police lift the restriction on their business activities.
  
 Mr. David has applauded their efforts, saying a complete resolution is possible with a collaborative working together of all interest groups.
  
 “I was quite pleased that the vendors at Wall Street formed themselves into a cooperative,” he said.  “That is an indication of what business persons, such as vendors, should and can do. They came together as a group for their collective interest.”
  
 The senior government minister said Wall Street has become a tourist attraction, with Air Jamaica having pictures of the area in their booklet.
  
 “While there were some criminal activities out there and the police did do something about it, at the same time, Wall Street has become a bit of a tourist attraction,” Mr. David said. “If you look at the Air Jamaica booklet, it has Wall Street as a tourist attraction”. 
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