By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (right), Member of Parliament for Central St. Catherine, consoles Valerie Graham during yesterday's tour of the Shelter Rock community in Spanish Town where four persons were shot and killed Saturday night. Miss Graham's brother, Joseph, was among the victims. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
A STRONG police presence will remain in Shelter Rock, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, where four people were shot dead Saturday night. This, as the long arm of the law attempts to bring warring gangs under control.
As the national crime figures show early signs of increase (especially in St. Catherine), Crime Chief, Deputy Commis-sioner of Police Lucius Thomas said the police will be paying special attention to the new developments in the area and every effort will be made to bring the perpretrators to justice.
Up to yesterday, police records were showing that over 65 persons had been killed since the start of the year. In the week of January 19-25 alone, 35 persons were murdered across the island.
According to Spanish Town's Mayor Dr. Raymoth Notice, "Since the launching of our gun crime prevention programme on October 16 last year, more than 20 persons have been killed in Spanish Town and over 30 shot and injured."
ONGOING FEUD
The Commanding Officer for the St Catherine North division, Superintendent Clifford Blake has linked the recent spate of killings to an ongoing feud between the two major gangs operating in the Old Capital, the "One Order" whose members are said to be supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and "Clans Man" which is allegedly aligned to the People's National Party (PNP).
Up to press time last night, Bishop Herro Blair and members of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) were meeting with the political directorate from that part of the parish.
Member of Parliament of Central St. Catherine Olivia 'Babsy' Grange said a lot of discussion was taking place among the politicians, "...but I am doing what I can do on the ground."
Mayor Notice is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Ministry of National Security and members of the Police High Command later this week to discuss the rise in gun crimes in the area.
He is requesting the return of senior police officers who he claims are familiar with the Spanish Town terrain.
The winding and hilly dirt tracks, sandwiched by high zinc fences, spoke volumes about the level of poverty that exists in the Shelter Rock community. Many of the structures are single room board houses, occupied by large numbers of unemployed residents.
"Much more needs to be done in terms of how we manage crime and the implementation of some of these strategies," Mayor Notice told The Gleaner yesterday.
Saturday night's bloody invasion of Shelter Rock, which left four people dead, has not only created a gloomy atmosphere over the community, but has permanently scarred the lives of those left to mourn the death of their loved ones.
During a tour of the area yesterday, an emotional Valerie Graham cried uncontrollably as she questioned why they killed her mentally-ill brother, 35-year-old Jospeh Graham, who was a tailor by profession.
Another woman said on the night of the incident her 13-year-old son was chased by the gunmen who fired several shots at him, but luckily he outran them.
KILLED NEAR A PIGPEN
Lucile Taylor, an elderly woman from the community, sobbed as she recounted how one of her relatives, Lorenzo Tomlinson, who recently arrived from England, went to purchase a phone card, but did not make it back alive. He was killed near a pigpen in the community.
There are several versions as to what might have been the motive behind the killings. Some say it was a reprisal for last Friday's shooting of four persons at a fish spot in Twickenham Park, another St. Catherine community.
"They claimed it is 'One Order Gang' do the shooting, but because we are labourite too, they attack us. Right now is seven people from here dem kill since 2001 and all now we don't strike back," said one man who was standing in a group.
Other persons believe the shooting is centred around the capture of one of Jamaica's most wanted men, Andrew Meade, who was held by the police two weeks ago in Central Village. Fingers are being pointed at persons who are accused of leaking information to the police.
