St. Catherine council backs insurance recovery for wrecked public assets

Councillors of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation have adopted a resolution meant to clear the way for insurance claims against individuals or organisations that destroy public works. The move is intended to shift repair and replacement expenses onto those at fault and ease the strain on the corporation’s budget.

Independence City councillor Courtney Edwards tabled the measure at the corporation’s monthly sitting on Thursday. He listed vandalism, collisions, deliberate destruction and heavy-duty vehicles among the main threats to municipal property, including roads, drains, utility poles, street signs, medians, sidewalks and fire hydrants.

Edwards also said police reports on such incidents seldom record harm to public infrastructure, which blocks the corporation from filing insurance claims. Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott added that stronger application of laws already on the books is required to tackle the issue.

The resolution is to be sent to the appropriate government ministries and agencies, operators of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, and insurance companies.