Check Your Purchased Food Items Carefully - You Could Be Shocked At What's Inside

What the hell is happening? Insects in rice, packaged in plastic! This is now getting out of hand. I purchased items from the Grace Supermarket in Liguanea this week, and I picked up a bag of rice packed with dead insects. Recently, it was metal in the sugar, and now it's insects in the rice. I wonder what's next.

Do not buy Three Jewels Rice until you get further advice from the Consumer Affairs Commission. Keep your receipt and the rice in a safe place.

Have a look at the pictures below. The matter will be reported to the relevant persons and organizations.

Insects seemed to be in an intimate situation.

The only jewels in the rice were insects.

This seems like the batch number.

The receipt.

#CAC

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Streaming Tomorrow From Mico

https://www.youtube.com/live/xcFS2_RP28A?si=-Ob9bN_kAQNJqQg6

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Vernon Derby and Shaniqua Townsend Joined In Matrimony

Vernon and Shaniqua

Vernon

I have not seen my son in about 18 years, since that day when the family fell apart. It is a horrible feeling when you lose your children like that. It feels as if they have died. Sometimes you dream about them, and sometimes you get close to other young people, hoping to fill that void.

A few weeks ago, I got a call. It was a call to change things. My son was about to get married. I needed to travel to the US for the wedding. I have not travelled for many years, and I did not have a passport or a US visa.

It was easy to get that passport. Oh yes, things have improved significantly at PICA. Can you imagine taking a passport picture and getting it back immediately from the photographer?

The challenge was to get that visa to attend the wedding in New York. It was not meant to be due to the short time I had. It was sad to know that my first son got married, and I was not able to attend the wedding. One thing we have to learn is that we don't direct life; it directs us.

I found it interesting that the wedding ceremony was very short. I don't think it took more than about ten minutes. I was in contact via WhatsApp, and it seemed as if something went wrong and the contact was lost. I was not able to get back the person who was transmitting the video to me.

Mi son tun big man a yard now wid woman. I give thanks that I have lived to see that day.  I expect he and his wife will work together because far more can be achieved when people work together for the betterment of the home and society. Oonu just hurry up and give me a young Vernon because I don't have all the time in the world.

Thanks to those people who stood by me, prayed for me; some were even more disappointed than me when I did not get to go to the wedding. Thanks for your continued support. Blessings to you all.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Everett Smith's Position On Police Wearing Body Cameras

 Contributed

Everett Smith

The debate over body-worn cameras for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force should no longer be treated as speculative or experimental. The evidence is already available, and it points in one direction: body cameras improve policing and strengthen public trust.

Anyone willing to examine real-world footage on platforms such as Civil Rights Lawyer, Audit the Cops, and Southern Drawl will see the practical impact of these devices. They expose misconduct where it exists, identify officers who fall below acceptable standards, and, just as importantly, vindicate those who act professionally in difficult and often dangerous circumstances.

Importantly, it is not only the images captured by these cameras that matter. The audio is equally critical. Tone, language, and the sequence of verbal exchanges often provide the context necessary to fully understand an encounter. Together, the video and audio paint a complete and objective picture—something that written reports or conflicting accounts alone cannot achieve.

Dr. Chang recently addressed the issue of body-worn cameras at a press conference. Respectfully, those who remain hesitant should look beyond theory and consider the growing body of recorded encounters available to the public. The value of body cameras is not abstract—it is visible and measurable.

In jurisdictions such as the United States, law enforcement officers can face legal consequences when they abuse their authority. At the same time, they are also vulnerable to false accusations. Body-worn cameras serve as an independent and objective witness, capable of establishing the truth in either direction. That dual protection—of the public and of the police—is precisely what is needed in a society striving for fairness and accountability.

A widely discussed example involves Afroman, whose home in Ohio was raided based on faulty information used to obtain a search warrant. In the aftermath, legal action followed—but it was recorded footage that brought clarity to what transpired, including allegations of misconduct during the raid. Without such evidence, the full story might never have come to light.

Jamaica, like many countries, continues to grapple with issues of crime, enforcement, and public confidence in the justice system. In that context, body-worn cameras should not be viewed as a burden or an intrusion, but as a necessary tool of modern policing. They promote accountability, improve professionalism, and help to build the trust that is essential between citizens and the police.

The conclusion is clear. Body-worn cameras do not impede effective policing—they enhance it. If Jamaica is serious about advancing the quality and credibility of its law enforcement, then the adoption of this technology should be a priority, not a point of hesitation.

Yours sincerely,

Everett Algernon Smith, Esq.

Law Offices of Everett Algernon Smith, P.A. 

P.O. Box 8487

Coral Springs, FL 33075

Tel: 954-693-3566

Fax: 954-475-2122

Editor's Note

Everett Smith, a distinguished American lawyer, is a very supportive member of the diaspora. He has contributed to schools and hospitals in Jamaica. His last project was the Violet Edwards scholarship, which UWI students benefited from, to the tune of JAD7 million. He is also very supportive of Bark Di Trute and is one of our writers.

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Frustrated Bank Customer To Close Account

The Following is a letter from a customer sent to General Manager Suzannie Chambers, CIBC - May 1, 2026

I opened a savings account at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), now FirstCaribbean International Bank, Half-Way-Tree, in 1977. I have always updated my personal information at the bank whenever I visit or when it is requested by the bank via email. One of those visits, I checked to see that my beneficiary’s information was on file. It wasn’t. When I migrated to the USA, my spouse’s information was on my account. I tried on at least three occasions to have the updates done. Frustrated, we gave up and decided to put one of my sons on it instead. 

My son and I went to the bank in December 2025. Everything for me was fine. However, I couldn't add my son as despite him being a businessman and he had his tax returns, driver's license, passport, TRN, we were told that he needed to show proof of his income. He asked for a list of everything they required. We flew back home and he prepared all the documents. I returned to Jamaica on April 27th, and I invited my son to take the trip so I could get him on my account. The rep. took my IDs and, the paperwork from my son and said she would be right back. We waited for about 15 minutes before she returned. She told me that they needed to verify my address and income. I reminded her that I had done that in December. She left again, returned, and left again about four times. She asked if I had the email that I had sent to their rep. in November as that rep. is now retired and she couldn’t locate the email with my income documents attached. This same rep. had verified my income information in December 2025. 

I requested to speak with her manager. It was like pulling teeth before the rep. left and a man came. I don't recall him introducing himself. It was more like 'how can I help you." He gave me the same cock and bull story. I wasted hours at this worthless institution. My son insisted that I closed the account. They were like just join the teller line and do so. Really?  I have a substantial portfolio with this bank.

Which begs the question, are Jamaicans void of common sense? Seriously. I am a retired police supervisor from Jamaica and the USA, I am an internationally known poet, I have represented Jamaica in festival all over the world, I am well known and established in the Jamaican Diaspora  - served in many roles; even volunteered and worked for the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami, after retirement, and I can't add my son or my wife to my own bank account that I opened 49 years ago. The bureaucracy is so thick that it's stifling the life out of our country. And, there is no consideration for Jamaicans who resides overseas. One cannot start a file and return to finish something - you must come back.  The cost is on you. They don't care less. I need to have this addressed ASAP.

Best regards,

Malachi Smith

Editor's Note

You need to find another bank in Jamaica, and if you cannot find another bank in Jamaica that suits you, you might have to arrange to have your funds transferred overseas.

You identified a challenge with using an email address for a retired employee. Your communication with the bank should not be by email, which is used by an employee. Your messages should be attached to your account so that anyone reviewing your account would be able to see your correspondence. 

So all the correspondence with a retired staff member is like it has gone up in flames. Amazing.

Words Have Meanings, Careful How We Use Them!

A few people have been complaining to me about the use of the English language. I have mentioned some of the commonly made errors before, but I will mention them again. I am amazed at people with their degrees up to their doctorates, and they have a challenge with how they express themselves. I am no expert, but let me praise the parents who brought me up, the primary school I attended, the high school I attended, and the influence of the church. 

Let me mention some strange things that are said in public:

• Someone welcomed the guests at Heroes Park by welcoming the members of the diplomatic corps, which is pronounced /kɔːr/ or /kor/. They were obviously speaking to the dead at Heroes Park.
• Before the last election, people kept talking about the elections being on September 3rd. It should be September 3, or the 3rd of September.
• You should not say 'refer back' or 'reverse back.'
• Many of us at all levels seemed to fall in love with the phrase "I would have." Many educators, politicians, and members of the police force keep on using the phrase "I would have." You either did something or you did not. Using the phrase makes you sound very uneducated and makes us wonder why you attended a university. You can say, "If I had sufficient funds, I would have fixed the rest of the building."
• A few nights ago, I heard a newscaster reporting that the Speaker of the House and Dr Burke had a dispute. That was not a dispute. The member of the house committed an act, and the speaker took action. How do you see that as a dispute? The action taken by the Speaker was sanctioned by the House of Parliament.
• The following was written on a radio station website: "The van then runs off the road and onto a banking." This was a report about the shooting on the Portmore to Mandela Road today. I have not heard that word since I left Trelawny. In Trelawny, we would say "bankin side". The proper term is "sidewalk."
• A listener called me today and said the city of "Caracas" was pronounced on the radio as "cacas".
• The "H" in "Hour" is silent.
• "Of" is pronounced /ɒv/, and "off" is pronounced /ɒf/. You can Google these words to find the correct pronunciations.
• You should never put a university degree before a national title. The Prime Minister should be referred to as The Most Honourable, Dr. Andrew Holness. Jamaica House officials put out releases saying Dr The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, and we follow them. My position is that they are wrong!
• The Prime Minister's wife is not the First Lady. The Governor General's wife is the First Lady.

Remember, if you see errors in the Bark Di Trute blog or if you hear persons who are supposed to know better making errors, send a WhatsApp message to (876) 816-5261 identifying the errors.

Bark Di Trute, working with the people to make things better.

Please add your comments at the bottom of the blog. Share this blog with all your friends and relatives.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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A Look At St. Catherine North Police Division

Contributed

SSP Hopeton Nicholson

The St Catherine North Police Division has on record the lowest number of murders for the first four months of the year 2026. The division has recorded nine (9) murders when compared to seventeen (17) murders for the same period in the year 2025. In essence, eight less families were spared the trauma, the pain, the grief of losing a loved one to violence.

We are well aware that we do control many of the variables with regard to murders, but as a professional, patriotic police division, we will continue to do all we can, with the available resources to reduce the opportunities for criminals to commit crimes. Policing strategies cannot be successfully done by the police alone. 

The St Catherine North Division credits the reduction on:

1. The strategic oversight and constant guidance from the JCF High Command.
2. The relentless pursuit of violence producers.
3. The adherence to the case management policy with particular attention to minor crimes and disputes.
4. Consistent and meaningful stakeholder and community engagements.

The first four months (first third) of the year were very challenging, but with the multiplicity of activities executed in a timely manner, in addition to cooperation from the general citizenry, crime and the fear of crime decreased. It is our hope, with the persistent efforts of all, that crime and fear of crime will continue to reduce across the division.

It is with a grateful heart that I commend the very hardworking men and women assigned to the St Catherine North Police Division for their tireless efforts for the first four months of the year. We have experienced the lowest number of murders over the first four months for any calendar year over the past three decades. Special thanks to our various stakeholders and the general citizenry for their contribution to the policing strategies over the past four months.

As the year progresses, we will continue to work diligently in order to maintain peace within the various communities for families to enjoy and for businesses to flourish. We thank our colleagues from Area Five and other sections of the JCF for their assistance and expertise, which significantly assisted us in detecting, deterring, and solving crimes across the division.

For the next two-thirds of 2026, we will continue to embark on the strategies that have been effective and we will adjust as needed to meet the policing demands of the citizens.

The St Catherine North Police Division will continue with the anti gang initiatives, public order enforcement, monitoring of hot spots, community and stakeholder engagements as well as focus on capacity building and welfare of our members.

We will engage, empower, educate and when needed,  we will enforce the law. Together with the help of God, we will continue to serve this division,  this parish and by extension, Jamaica land we love, with the proper respect for the rights of every citizen. "Second Third" loading: our efforts continue.

Regards

Hopton Nicholson, MBA,  BSc,  psjcc 

Senior Superintendent of Police

Commanding Officer 

St Catherine North Police Division 

Editor's Note:

SSP Hopeton Nicholson is one of the few officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who makes use of the Emergency Alert System. You will notice, for example, that as soon as the Bog Walk Gorge has to be closed, the media houses announce it after getting the message from SSP Nicholson.

Please add your comments at the bottom of the blog. Share this blog with all your friends and relatives.

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Click here to see what's happening.

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• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
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• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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