David Fuller-1304816 UTECH, JA BACAT Student

Vending a solution: Using vending to reduce Crime in Jamaica; the Process of Sensitizing the Public about New Job Opportunities

Student: David Fuller ID#:1304816 Course: Intro to Comm arts and Technology 2; The Design Process Lecturer: Jerome Shepherd Assignment: Process Book

1

Table of Content Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………Pages Cover Page…………………………………………………………………………………….1 Table of Content……………………………………………………………………………….2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….3 Process 1......................................................................................................................................4-6 Process 2......................................................................................................................................7-9 Process 3...................................................................................................................................10-11 Process 4...................................................................................................................................12-13 Process 5...................................................................................................................................14-16 Process 6...................................................................................................................................17-19 Process 7....................................................................................................................................20 Gantt Chart.................................................................................................................................21 Annexes……………………………………………………………………………………….22 References……………………………………………………………………………………23-25

2

Introduction This book entails the process I took in completing this mini multimedia project. The project was tailored around providing better working conditions for vendors all over Jamaica, especially those in the Downtown Kingston area, who lost their place of operation last year due to gang related activities which led to the destruction of the arcade due to arson. The project will build new markets to accommodate vendors who are located in illegal vending areas as well as promoting vending by making places available for more market activities with the intention of getting at risk youths off the streets who are engaged in gang related activities and occupied improving their sales skills. The method of broadcasting that was used to make this message available to the masses was via a podcast. There were multiple steps taken in designing this podcast and they were listed below.

3

Process 1 Conceptualization: Thinking about the Project:

When tasked with this assignment, I thought long and hard about the direction I wanted to take with this multi-media project. The fact that most of these social issues were taken, I had to think long and hard 4

about what I wanted to do and it hit me on my way to UTECH, JA one week in March of 2020. I was on my way to school around 6 a.m. on a Wednesday morning and saw vendors downtown setting up their tents to go through their daily routine of sale. The fact that most of these people were without tents though, sitting on the road side, some peeling oranges and some scaling fish. I then realized that some of these vendors or what we call Higglers in Jamaica, aren’t getting the proper support and respect they deserve. So, my mini-multimedia project will be geared at highlighting the contribution of these vendor, the condition to which they are faced with and sensitizing the government about these issues, geared at garnering more support for them.

We can argue that most things that ail this earth aren’t paid much attention to, until it affects the rich. Mental health has been one issue that is raised a lot. It hasn’t always been that way, until NBA players like Demar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers came out publicly with their issues of mental illness. Take the Coronavirus for example, I believe that it’s been treated with urgency due to the fact that the rich are affected and the economy is on the verge of suffering its worth depression since the Wall Street crash of 1929. Since, I’ve been on this earth growing up, I’ve only seen vendors victimized by policemen, thieves and the KSAC, now the KSAMC. Some of this was warranted as illegal vending is a big issue and a crime is a crime and if order isn’t maintained chaos can occur. However, I believe that enough isn’t 5

being done to provide support for these hard-working individuals who we all depend on especially in hard times to provide essentials for us, especially during this Coronavirus pandemic. So, I’m taking it upon myself to be the voice of the voiceless and in addition, try to use this platform as a way of playing my part in fighting crime.

Target Audience This venture is geared at making the working conditions better for vendors, but it also targets the people that will assist us in getting this done. The government will play a big part in getting this initiative off the ground along with potential corporate sponsors. The aim is to also persuade high school students to engage in former or other activities which leads to market activities. At risk and young unemployed personnel will also be targeted, so they can put their free time to good use, which will provide income for them that can be used to further fund future ventures e.g. seeking higher education.

6

Process 2 Research:

It is no secret that the relationship between Jamaican Vendors and the powers that be haven’t be the best over the years. The struggle that vendors face to conduct business on a daily basis is complicated by police harassment in combination with constant theft as their place of operation is a hotspot for criminals. I could only speak on cases I’ve witnessed and I’ve 7

witnessed a lot. Ever since I was five (5) years old going to town with my mother to buy groceries on Saturday, or whether it was buying stuff for my Basic school graduation, I’ve witnessed vendors running from policemen, some being caught and put in the back of jeeps.

My memories couldn’t be my own source of reference and I had to source further evidence. I looked for various articles published by various news outlets in Jamaica and one thing that was common amongst all of them, was the constant tussle between both set of workers. There were also threats sent to vendors via the KSAC by then mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew Desmond McKenzie about illegal operation and promise of destroying stalls. The mayor also offered better accommodations to vendors, but to this day 2020, the situation has been the same, some might argue that it has gotten worse. The cycle continued in 2014 when Mayor Angela Brown-Burke, also of Kingston and St. Andrew, promised a clamp down on illegal vendors but offered no alternatives for these hardworking people. Even now with Mayor Delroy Williams there as been a stagnation as it relates to the assistance that vendors receive form the government.

A research was also done on the history of the Jamaican Higgler. The history brought us to the plantation system, where the activity of vending began. Free African slaves would buy goods produced by slaves on their off-duty time and these slaves would use the money earn to try and buy their free. The emergence was of the Coronation market in the 20th century, led the way for Jamaicans to engage in sales in a professional and sanitary establishment. The research was centered around trying to find out in what capacity can Jamaica benefit from the establishment of more markets and how the establishment of these mini businesses can benefit the economy. The research ended with a trying to measure the potential cost of establishing these market vs the cost of crime. An article published by the Jamaica observer in 2017, 8

showed that crime is costing the Jamaican government over 68 billion a year. The estimated budget for this venture is around 35 million, that is less than 10% of what crime is costing the Jamaican government. We can speculate whether criminals will switch to vending or not, but we have tried all other options to combat crime and yet we still have the highest crime rate per number of people in the Western Hemisphere, so I think it’s time we try a different approach.

9

Process 3 Choosing the channel to Broadcast the Message:

Choosing a channel to broadcast was quite difficult, as an advertisement was the first thought, but we questioned the regularity of how often it would be broadcasted.

We also had to look at the availability of a channel as well as the cost associated with broadcasting. A podcast was decided upon and the app of choice was Anchor because it’s a free 10

Podcasting app that allows you to broadcast to multiple individuals, who by just the click of a button can subscribe to, listen, download and share your Podcast.

Podcasting was new to me and I had to venture into a lot of tutorials to learn how it works and the best possible ways of getting a message across, while not boring the listeners.

11

Process 4 Writing Content for the Podcast:

The content for the podcast had to be short and straight to the point. It also had to poetic and drive the government and the public to be motivated in getting this message across. What better way to be poetic than using an actual poem? The words entailed in the poem, speaks to the harsh reality of life as a Jamaican vendor. It also speaks to the importance and how these hardworking individuals deserve more praise for what they do and point out how little they have received by everyone including myself over the years.

Poem: Mr. and Mrs. Vendor Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Vendor, it’s a pleasure to see you out this morning, before the sun rises, you’re out, hoping for a better day. The morning salutes you as you hope for a pay day.

12

The uncertainty of making a single sale, doesn’t hinder or stop a smile from coming on your face. The sun salutes you when it rises, you salute back with joy, even though nothing seems to be there to write on about. No shelter, hardly any space, the place you once called solitude was taken away because of silly gang warfare.

Mr. and Mrs. Vendor, I promise I won’t judge, but I have to ask a question, is this the best life you could choose, is this life good enough? Don’t get me wrong I’m not judging, but is it fair to you to labour all day in the sun, sitting for hours, not selling a t-shirt, a comb, not even a brush?

Some carry along kids who should be in school, I know I complain a lot about not being born rich, but this is something I had never been asked to go through. I don’t blame you for the kids, because let’s be honest, these same kids will be kicked out of school, if the fee short by a dollar, some even go to school without books, without bags, without food.

The constant bullying you receive from the government, your harassed by policemen, the same ones who on Saturdays send their wives to market, begging for you to drop your prices and be kind to them. The minister sending constant warnings about removing your spot, as if it’s not already starved of space, running in with threats and policies and not thinking for a second to offer kind of assistance, help or aid. Mr. and Mrs. Vendor, you will always have my respect, because no matter how educated I become, no matter how smart I get, your hustle, your will and commitment I will never comprehend. So, Mr. and Mrs. Vendor keep the faith, don’t let life or the state dampen your mood, because even if it’s one, even if I’m the only fool, this one fool is routing for you Written by: David Fuller

13

Process 5 Writing the Script for the Podcast: The original podcast was set to last 20-30 minutes to accommodate the main issue which pertained to vending and crime in Jamaica and other issues mentioned above along with a sporting section to also cater to many of the persons I initially planned to interview. However, due to the restrictions placed on the length of the broadcast which was 5-8 minutes I had to eliminate and adjust my script for the podcast. I’ve prepared a draft of what was contained in the original content; Welcome ladies and gentle to Sure Podcast, I’m your host David Fuller and today a special episode, geared at celebrating our hardworking vendors out there. Before I get into all that I’ll like to read a poem written by yours truly, it’s called Mr. and Mrs. Vendor (check process 4 for the content of the poem).

Questions

1. When you hear about a Jamaican vendor, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

2. How would you describe the relationship between vendors and law enforcements, specifically policemen over the year?

3. Do you think it can be better on both sides?

4. If so, what can the government do to provide better support for vendors out 14

5. As you’re aware we are in a pandemic, how are you guys dealing in this time and how are you affected?

6. Do you have issue accessing food and basic supplies?

7. Have any of you guys been downtown or any other places to buy good since the restriction? if so, how are people or in extension supermarkets and vendors practicing social distance?

Read plans for improved vending Then Proceed to gaining feedback; 8. After hearing these initiatives, what are your views, do you think this will help quell the tensions between vendors and law enforcers 9. Do you think this will help to persuade young people, not necessarily yourselves per say because most of you guys are university students, but do you think this will persuade at risk youths to consider vending instead of crime?

10. In your opinion, do you see it as necessary to invest in vendors, do you have the same respect for these individuals like you do say a doctor or lawyer, do you believe that they are as important?

Sporting Section 1. Do you believe that the English football association should find a way to complete the season? If yes how do you recommend that they do so?

15

2. What about the person who believe that they should just abandon the season, if so do you think that is fair to Liverpool, who have a 25 points lead on their closest challenger, if so should they award Liverpool the title?

3. What about the other teams all over Europe and around the world who believe that they should be awarded the title if they are leading the league at point of the lockdown, only if all teams have played the same amount of games?

4. If teams have games in hand, how do you recommend that the respective FAs solve this issue?

5. The NBA is also experiencing a Hiatus due to this pandemic, how do you believe that the Commissioner Adam Silver should deal with this situation going forward?

6. Finally sporting question, I don’t know if any of you guys follow the NFL, Tom Brady made the witch to the NFC to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that was said to have all the pieces in place and was basically, missing a competent Quarterback, do you think Tom Brady at age 42 now can bring this team to the promise land?

7. Phipps, we understand that you have an upcoming short film, just tell our listeners about it‌ Question 7 was geared at thanking one of our guests by giving him a free platform for advertising his upcoming project

Summarization and Conclusion Ladies and Gentle this initiative will help us to create more opportunities for current and prospective vendors, so I implore you to download this podcast and send to your friend and implore them to share as well, as we seek to get more people involved in selling their own

16

goods, being an entrepreneur. To your friends sitting and idling on the road side unemployed with much hope, tell them that help is on the way, the government along with the Sure Foundation, is bringing more markets and more opportunities right at their food step.

Process 6 Recording:

Before I could even think about recording, I had to locate the person place to recruit interviewers for the podcast. This had to be a place where it had just the right amount of people and those versatile in the issues that we planned on tackling. My Quiz/Baller group on WhatsApp was perfect as it had intellects who followed both news and sports with great pride and had family members who either owned small shops or did vending downtown or in around the parish.

17

Secondly, I had to confirm with the members a date and time that would be perfect and Sunday at 11 a.m. was chosen. In the image you will see a five-minute-long voice note, that was used to iron out any concerns or ignorance they had about what exactly my company was venturing on and what we expected from it at the end of it all.

Thirdly, I compiled a draft of structured questions, similar to the ones that I would be asking in the podcast to get them adequately prepared, so even if they weren’t familiar with the topics, they would sound like experts during the interviews.

The forth process involved a invitation at the scheduled time via a WhatsApp Anchor, unfortunate none of the members were available to unforeseen circumstances, so I had to go at it solo, since it was prescheduled.

18

The fifth thing to do was to go live and I did that approximately 12:06 pm after receiving confirmation of the all the members absence.

The recording was the sixth process and without people to interview, I had to adjust and play the role of both interviewer and the person being interviewed, by asking the questions in a rhetorical sense and then answering them, giving the potential listeners added information about the initiative.

19

Process 7 Broadcasting: Getting the message across

The final process entailed getting the message across, this entailed sharing it to multiple social media and professional platforms so that others can listen and then share it to as many persons as possible.

As seen above in the picture prior to this the podcast lasted little under seven minutes and was immediately shared to WhatsApp and was uploaded to google podcast, Radio public and Breaker.

20

Gantt Chart

As seen in the Gantt Presentation above, most if the projects got off to a rocky start; this was due primarily to the restrictions posed to use due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We had to delay research, especially interviews which had to done mostly via social media platforms. Conceptualization was also delayed due to the uncertainty of the disease during the early stages of project. The poem and scripts took a lot of thought as we had to capture the true meaning of what this project could possibly represent. We had to take an empathetic approach base on the concerns and issues faced by the vendors as well as represent them in the best possible light. Finally, due to the restrictions faced being that we had to work at home for the most part, distractions were an issue and recording of the podcast had to be done at best possible moment. We faced noise concerns, whether it was family members in the house using machinery, or simply vehicles passing outside. We finally finished recoding on the 27th of April and uploaded the podcast the same day, due to the time restraints and the time we had to make up due to prior delays, but all in all it was a successful ending to our project.

21

Annexes Monitoring and Evaluation Methods Identification Design Phase Stage

Start-up Phase

Implementation Evaluation Phase

At the initial stages, the company evaluated the lands available for construction and those that already exist, only improving upon them.

A bill was be drawn up in parliament outlining the policies and regulation that governs this project.

Vendors will have to attend a mandatory seminar at which, at the end they will receive a certificate and be able to purchase their license.

The markets will be unveiled by the mayor of each parish council.

Vending will commence immediately after the unveiling with vendors required to show their license upon entering. Police presence will be at the sites.

Varying skilled workers were interviewed and evaluated by a construction company.

Workers also come in via the recommendation of the contractor general. The budget was finalized and a 6-month deadline was set.

22

The Jamaica Vendors', Higglers' and Market Association will be charged with appointing supervisors that will ensure that the policies are being carried out.

That member will be under the supervisor of a government official ensuring a balance of power.

References NA (2016) Climate change policies. Retrieved from https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/policy-context Matthews K (2015) Kingston craft vendors hoping for better business in 2015. Retrieved from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Kingston-craft-vendors-hoping-for-better-business-in2015_18157399 Henry O (2017) No Success in craft market - Vendors suffering from lack of sales. Retrieved from http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170926/no-success-craft-market-vendors-sufferinglack-sales Bucknor H (2019) Shoppers Shun Unsanitary MoBay Market, Say Vendors. Retrieved from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20190103/shoppers-shun-unsanitary-mobaymarket-say-vendors Higgins G (2020) We've watched the maturity of the suffocating monstrosity of self-interest.

Retrieved from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/the-agenda/we-ve-watched-the-maturity-of-the-suffocatingmonstrosity-of-self-interest_188340?profile=1096 Barrett A (2019) Early-morning fire destroys businesses in downtown Kingston. Retrieved from

23

http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20190612/early-morning-fire-destroys-businessesdowntown-kingston Bailey D (2014) The Origins and growth of the Jamaican Higgler. Retrieved from https://davorbailey.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/the-origins-and-growth-of-the-jamaicanhiggler/ N.A (2010) Jamaican Higglers' Marketing System And The Future Of Kingston (Part I).

Retrieved from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101031/focus/focus6.html Gleaner N.A (2019) KSAMC Cracking Down On Unregulated Street Vending. Retrieved from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190426/ksamc-cracking-down-unregulated-streetvending Mercury G (2010) Police destroy roadside stalls in Jamaican capital in crackdown on illegal street vending. Retrieved from https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/2700717-police-destroy-roadside-stalls-injamaican-capital-in-crackdown-on-illegal-street-vending/ The Jamaica Observer N.A (2019) Mobile vendor licensing to bring in $2m a year. Retrieved from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/mobile-vendor-licensing-to-bring-in-2m-ayear_173449?profile=1373 24

OSAC (2019) Jamaica 2019 Crime & Safety Report. Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/Country/Jamaica/Content/Detail/Report/1d98b2df-fd4b-485f-aa6215f4aed245ef Linton L (2015) 226 Vendors Register Under KSAC Drive. Retrieved from https://jis.gov.jm/226-vendors-register-under-ksac-drive/ Clarke P (2017) Crime Costing Jamaica $68 Billion Per Year. Retrieved from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20171013/crime-costing-jamaica-68-billionyear

25