Dirty, disgusting, unsanitary and stink are just a few of the words being used by some Kingston residents to describe a grocery shop in the Kingston 11 area.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that the shop that has been in operation for over 40 years is infested with roaches.

Information received is that the shop was ordered to close its doors some years ago because of the same problem.

Candy, a woman who resides in the area, told THE WEEKEND STAR, "The smell is terrible, mi cyan tek a good breath in there."

She explained that even though there are a number of shops on the same block, sometimes she has no choice but to go there because the other shops are either closed or don't have the items required.

She said, "One night mi go deh fi buy a pill cause I was having a headache and di roach dem just a run up and down like dem see thief, so me ask dem bout it and dem ago tell me say a because di place just spray that's why dem a run up and down so."

out of control

Angelaanother resident, told THE WEEKEND STAR that, "one day mi go buy a bag a soap and when mi get it a bare roach wings deh pan it."

The residents say the situation has gotten out of control to the point where the roaches are visible even in broad daylight.

They believe that the proprietor of the shop, who is an elderly man in the community, can do better. They say that people's health are at risk. especially the children's.

Candy further noted, "More time when yuh go deh and yuh order something him use him hand and all kill di roach pan di counter then use a towel fi wipe off the counter then use the same towel fi wipe off what u buying."

She says that she is fearful for the children in the community because if they buy items there especially food stuffs most times they don't wash it off before consuming it.

A man who claimed to have had a horrible experience at the same shop in question, said that, "Mi go buy half a bread wha day yah and him use a cloth wipe off the roach whey him kill pan di counter den use the same cloth wipe off the knife fi cut di bread, mi say mi stomach sick."

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the location, we saw roaches on the ground and on the countertop. However, the establishment smelled as though it was freshly sprayed.

When we drew the shop keeper's attention to the roaches, he told us that it was common assault.

"A so when people come fi buy nuttin dem come out," he said.

He also confirmed that the shop was sprayed earlier that day adding that, "yuh no see nuttin yet the spray ago liquidate dem." When we asked what he meant by that he said that in a few days the roaches would be doubled.

When contacted, William Broughton Acting Director of Environment Health at the Ministry of Heath was unable to say if any complaints had been made about the particular shop however he said that, "Generally if a complaint is made to the health department the officer there is duty bound to go and investigate."

He reasoned that the department is guided by the Public Health Act and its regulations therein adding that if any form of nuisance is identified, the public health inspectors seek to address them.

He further explained that the law requires the owners or operators of all food establishments to visit the Public Health Department that has branches in all parishes, and make an application for an inspection to be done at their business location. This he says will allow them to be registered and to become food handlers certified.

He recalled that in years gone by inspections would have been done premises to premises whether or not an application was made. However, this is no longer done in every parish due to staff shortages.

He noted that in parishes where there are staff shortages rapid surveys are usually done to target those particular areas. This he says is usually completed in a day or two.

Further, when establishments are inspected, "if there are problems notes are given to them by the inspecting officer. They are given time to comply, up to 30 days depending on what is found," he said.

In addition he noted that if operators or owners fail to comply, the law allows the Public Health Department to either close the establishment or take them to court.

In the meantime he said that all persons should educate themselves with the Act and Regulations as they are in the public domain.