Omar Anderson and David Dunkley, Staff Reporters
HANNAH TOWN, Tavares Gardens and other communities in Kingston are not complaining of police brutality or drive-by shootings. The residents are no longer just peeping from behind patched doors and through the cracks of window blades. They are in the streets, sitting on their fences, talking and even laughing with members of the security forces.
"I don't hear anybody complaining of being brutalised," one woman said. "Since they are here, I haven't heard any shooting. I can move about freely."
Even so, the soldiers seemed cautious, but the policemen were more at ease, poking fun among themselves and members of the communities. Their laughter was free and easy.
Several inner-city residents have given members of the security forces high praises for the courteous and calm way they have been conducting themselves in their communities.
They say they welcome the presence of the security personnel and hope that the exercise will continue for a while.
A joint military/police team has been carrying out a holistic crime initiative in communities in West Kingston and South St. Andrew, for more than a week now, as part of the Government's new crime-fighting initiatives. They have been cordoning certain areas in these communities and conducting spot checks and searches, their main aim being to recover illegal weapons, drugs and wanted persons, ultimately putting a dent in crime and criminal activities.
The security forces may remain in these areas for up to six months or as long as it takes to achieve their objectives. Similar operations are to spread to several other communities.
Having the security forces in these crime 'hot spots' have normally not gone over well with the residents, who have accused them of being brutal and intimidatory, and have often called for their removal. But such calls are not coming from residents now.
"We no have no problem with dem man; we glad fi see them, at least when them deh yah we know seh nobody nah come attack the community," one woman from Tavares Gardens, South St. Andrew, also called 'Payne Land', said when The Sunday Gleaner visited these area last week. "Them kind and friendly with the citizens and from weh me see nobody no really mind."
One man told The Sunday Gleaner that unlike other curfews in the area, in this one the police do not only search but speak to them about improving themselves and also give them advice on certain critical matters affecting their livelihood.
He said since coming into the area, the cops have been very kind giving 'a smalls' to youngsters. "Is something like this them should do from long time man," he said. "A this a community policing; the police show the people respect and the people in turn will show them respect."
Under the operations, the security forces are also clearing roadblocks and other makeshift blockades as well as garbage and unwanted debris, so as to allow quick and easy access to the law enforcers. Some of these roadblocks were made by the residents after attacks by gunmen from neighbouring communities. As a result of this, many of the residents began throwing rubbish and other debris at these blockades resulting in the creation of dump heaps.
The Hannah/Denham Town border was the cordoned area in West Kingston. Last year, the border between both communities became a war zone resulting in the killing of several persons, the burning down of several homes and forcing many to flee from the area.
The police, after several desperate attempts, managed to bring the situation under control somewhat but there have been sporadic upsurges since then, one of which resulted in the killing of a one-year-old baby a few weeks ago.
Because of the new relationship with the security forces residents of Tavares Gardens said they are thinking of forming a citizens' association. However, they said, they do not want the Hunts Bay police to be involved at all in this venture.
Meanwhile, Superintendent James Forbes, head of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), said that over the past two months, the police have been given specialised training for this new operation which the Government expects will restore order and decency to many inner-city communities which have been experiencing serious crimes.
He added that although the police are involved in a special operation, citizens can resort to the usual avenues to report police abuse whenever it occurs.
For her part, Captain Charlene Steer, information officer in the JDF, said that her organisation will be having a press conference tomorrow where the soldiers' methods of engagement in inner-city communities are to be announced.
