Rural gang activity
published: Tuesday | June 8, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE JAMAICAN press appears to be missing aspects of gang activity in the rural areas while I often read, hear and watch reports of violence in the urban areas. Scant attention is paid to the rest of the island where criminals from the urban areas usually seek refuge.

I bring to your attention the present situation in Falmouth, Trelawny. I have never heard a report in the media of the on-going 'gang warfare' in several communities of the town. As a frequent visitor to your island, I consider this my second home and was surprised when I inadvertently drove into one Falmouth community to find a woman sitting at a corner with a couple of young men holding guns. The weapons were put away when I was spotted and I continued on my way as if I saw nothing.

I was terrified. Here was this woman surrounded by young men with high-powered weapons. When I returned to the villa where I am staying I rang up a friend who lives in Falmouth and related what I had seen. She told me that there is a present gang war being raged in sections of the community of Falmouth Gardens and that two young men were killed last year and there have been several woundings this year. There have also been numerous 'Peace Meetings' chaired by the Member of Parliament for the area Dr. Patrick Harris I question why none of this is in the media. I trust that this will not fall on deaf hears.

I am, etc.,

CHRIS VONHOUSEN

Silver Sands