By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterA JOINT police and military patrol came under fire early Sunday morning, after the security forces mounted a "massive" operation in an effort to quell the violence which has afflicted the area since June 19.
"There was an engagement early this morning (on Saunders Avenue) that brought out the helicopters. However, there were no casualties or contact in terms of arrests," Deputy Superintendent Johnathan Morrison, of the Mobile Reserve, told The Gleaner yesterday.
He added that the joint operation, comprising members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force, would be maintaining the significant police and military presence through static, mobile and foot patrols, in hopes of presenting a "buffer" between warring factions within the community-at-large.
"The police on foot are combing Jacques Road, Jarrett Lane and Saunders Avenue, chiefly. They are also keeping the thoroughfare between the foot of Mountain View and up to Hope Road (safe for travellers)," he said. But concern lingers about how long the security forces will be able to maintain calm in the troubled area.
Three fatal shootings were reported on Saturday. They were: Marcia Sawyers, a 38-year-old domestic helper of Saunders Avenue, and 45-year-old Errol Dewar of Vernon Avenue, both killed on Saunders Avenue at about 4.20 p.m., and Mark Bitter, otherwise called 'Doggie', a 32-year-old messenger of Robert Crescent, Vineyard Town, who was killed about an hour later.
Police sources say that the violence was triggered by an incident on the premises of Campion College, which was the counting centre for the votes polled in South East St. Andrew on the night of June 19.
The People's National Party (PNP) Region Three has called on the Government to institute permanent security posts in the area, while newly-elected Mayor of Kingston and head of the Jamaica Labour Party's Corporate Area council, Desmond McKenzie, has pointed to the need for infrastructural development in the communities.
The posts, it said, would be ideally located at the top of Saunders Avenue, at the McGregor Gully Community Centre, at the Jacques Road Community Centre, at the top of Burgher Gully and at the intersection of Mountain View and Hildene avenues.
However, Mayor McKenzie yesterday told The Gleaner that, though he supports the call for security posts, he felt what is really needed is a programme to satisfy the need for development. Despite the introduction of military forces over the years, he said, "The social degradation still continues."
