The nights in Rocky Point, Clarendon, have grown darker — and more dangerous.
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) says widespread electricity theft has severely damaged dozens of streetlights in the community, leaving residents anxious and frustrated as they struggle with safety concerns and fear of crime.
“People Are Living in the Dark”
According to JPS, illegal connections now account for over 70 percent of the electricity consumed in Rocky Point. The result? Constant power surges, blown transformers, and streetlights that burn out far before their time.
The company says its repair crews have returned to the community multiple times, only to find newly installed lamps damaged again — the same cycle repeating month after month.
On August 30, JPS teams carried out yet another round of repairs to restore lighting, but officials warn that the problem can’t be fixed permanently until the theft stops.
Working to Restore Light
“In addition to the war on theft, our teams have been working closely with the Clarendon Parish Council to maintain lights across the parish,” the company said in a statement.
During September alone, crews repaired 70 streetlights in fourteen divisions, part of a larger effort to improve visibility and security across Clarendon.
But even as JPS works to bring light back, the company says illegal hookups continue to drain resources, damage equipment, and put both residents and line workers at risk.
The Bigger Picture
Electricity theft has long been a challenge in several Jamaican communities — a mix of economic hardship, limited access, and public frustration. But as JPS points out, every illegal connection doesn’t just cost the company money — it endangers lives, increases fire risk, and weakens infrastructure meant to serve everyone.
For residents of Rocky Point, the issue isn’t just about electricity. It’s about security, fairness, and community responsibility.
Until the problem is addressed, the lights might come back — but the darkness will linger.
