St. Thomas residents demand action as Lloyd's Avenue cemetery falls into neglect

People living along Lloyd's Avenue in St. Thomas say anger is rising over the state of a community cemetery where families have laid loved ones to rest for years. They told TVJ News that overgrown bush now hides many graves, making the grounds hard to recognise as a burial site, and that poor bathroom facilities and weak road infrastructure have made the situation worse.

Residents say the site was once maintained by the community itself. They charge that after the St. Thomas parish council assumed responsibility and began collecting fees, upkeep declined sharply. One resident called the present condition a disgrace and said the community could not sit by while relatives' resting places were left in such a state.

"We want water. We need a toilet," residents said, pressing for basic amenities at the site.

Although community members have tried to keep the grounds tidy, they say the workload has grown beyond what volunteers can manage. When a news team visited, men were cutting back thick vegetation on their own initiative. One man said neighbours regularly take on the task out of duty, but argued the government must step in. He noted the workers were helping voluntarily while residents mainly provided meals in return.

Kevin McIntosh, chief executive officer of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, said the authority understands the public's concerns and that remedial work is being arranged. He said drone-assisted technology recently used at Redhills Cemetery in Morant Bay proved safe and cost-effective, and the same method will be deployed at Lloyd's Cemetery. McIntosh said staff are finalising the schedule and thanked residents for raising the issue, adding that the cemetery was already on the corporation's radar.