STUDENTS FOR SALE

Schoolgirls as young as 14 years old have found ‘summer employment’ along Port Henderson Road, popularly known as ‘Back Road’ in Portmore, St Catherine, THE WEEKEND STAR has found.

Older, veteran prostitutes recently told THE WEEKEND STAR that over the past few weeks a number of schoolgirls from communities around St Catherine have been visiting the popular strip claiming they are hustling ‘back-to-school’ money.

“A years me deh a back road a work, and a di first mi see schoolgirl come roun’ yah and a tell wi plain seh a money dem a look fi go back a school September. One a dem from Spanish Town all show wi har book list and wi know high school book list a serious money,” A prostitute who gave her name as Sexy Stacy claimed.

According to the seasoned prostitutes, the underage girls hang in groups, and do not have specific days on which they visit the ‘selling ground’.

They say if judged by their attire alone one could never tell the girls are mere high-school students.

“A since school close wi see dem start come roun’ here. But mi a tell yu, hotter dan dem yu cyaa find, If di man dem nuh look good dem cyaa know seh a likkle pickney dem,” another prostitute explained.

summertime hookers

THE WEEKEND STAR visited the popular ‘red light’ district this week but was only able to have a short conversation with two of the alleged underage summertime hookers. They said enough to confirm the claims of the other prostitutes, but left the scene quick after learning information regarding their actions could possibly make the news.

Sexy Stacy introduced the news team to the girls, one of whom immediately asked, “doing business sexy body?”

Asked of her age, the bold teen replied, ” Mi see yu a talk to Stacy long time suh mi know she tell yu wah a gwaan.” She then added, “How old mi look to u? Any amount mi look like a dat a mi age but just know a hustle ting mi deh pon. So if yu a do business talk to mi.”

The two girls who looked no older than 15 were attired in boy shorts and T-shirts cut just below their breasts.

They made a hasty step down the street when the news team was identified, and it was revealed they were actually being interviewed for a story.

“Come yu nuh see a informer,” said one of the girls to the other as they walked away.

The head of the St Catherine South police division, Senior Superintendent Collin Pinnock, could not be reached for comment up to press time last night.

However, sources at the Greater Portmore Police Station say the police have heard of underage girls taking part in prostitution along Port Henderson Road, but say it is oftentimes difficult to confirm such allegations, as they might not get caught during police operations carried out around there.

“This summer thing sounds new, not saying it is not happening because we hear about schoolgirls being there from time to time, but this is something that would have to be checked out before the police can comment,” a high-ranking cop from the division told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Meanwhile, the older prostitutes say they feel threatened by the idea of the schoolgirls being, and operating around them.

“It bad enough we a run di risk and deh yah, but dem likkle pickney deh ago jus bring heat pon wi. A wah day yah (in March) di police dem run in pon wi, when dem hear bout dis mi sure dem ago waa run in again,” another prostitute who tried to offer her services to THE WEEKEND STAR team said.