By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterSECTIONS OF West Kingston remained on edge yesterday afternoon, even as influential persons from both sides of the political fence appealed for peace.
Yesterday's near standoff between men from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stronghold of Tivoli Gardens and Matthews Lane, supporting the People's National Party (PNP), followed reports that Kemel Duffus, a JLP supporter, was murdered by men from Matthews Lane.
Duffus, the nephew of Victor 'Rooster' Patterson, a former PNP strongman of Matthews Lane, had switched allegiance to the JLP. Word on the streets is that persons want to avenge his death. Duffus was shot and killed on West Street, downtown Kingston more than a week ago.
The usual busy strip of road between West Street and Rose Lane, on Spanish Town Road, was a virtual ghost town yesterday. While some businesses drew down their shutters, vendors and customers stayed away from the area as news spread that rival gun gangs from Matthews Lane and Tivoli Gardens, both in West Kingston, were about to clash.
Police armoured vehicles were strategically positioned at the intersections of West Street and Spanish Town Road and Beeston/West streets. Scores of other police units were busy throughout the streets of the community. A number of senior police officers were also seen standing at the intersection of Matthews Lane and Heywood Street.
BECAME EMOTIONAL
"We are keeping a close watch on the situation," head of the Kingston West Division, Deputy Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, told The Gleaner yesterday.
Matthews Lane area don, Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, who became emotional during a meeting with journalists at his Matthews Lane base, said information had reached him that Matthews Lane residents had 72 hours in which to vacate the area.
"When I call Tivoli Gardens dem sey dem nuh know nutting bout dat. Right now we and nobody nuh in a no war. A peace we a deal wid and right now me a beg all de youth dem in a Jamaica fe put down de gun
and mek we have peace," said a tearful Mr. Phipps.
Despite pleading for peace, the well known area leader said if his community is attacked, residents had no option but than to defend themselves. But Justin O'Gilvie, one of the influential residents of Tivoli Gardens, said problems between Tivoli Gardens and Matthews Lane are a thing of the past.
"From morning I have been getting telephone calls about this. Tivoli Gardens and Matthews Lane is in no war, this is just rumour," said Mr. O'Gilvie.
Both communities have been enjoying peace for more than seven years, with residents of both areas partying together at the same dance. Matthews Lane and Tivoli Gardens enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the country.
