By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterMORE THAN a year after the government promised the citizens of Mountain View Avenue a permanent police station, National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips is expected to fulfil that commitment today, when he officially opens the facility.
The newly-renovated two-storey building is located at the intersection of Hilldene and Mountain View avenues. It once housed a doctor's office, a wholesale grocery and other shops.
TROUBLED COMMUNITIES
For Milton Tomlinson, president of the United Mountain View Development Council, today's opening was a long time in coming. During the middle of last year, gunmen from rival lanes and streets, transformed the community into a ghost town. People were being killed, shot and injured almost on a weekly basis. In some instances, fearful residents had to flee their homes and some have not returned since. After touring the troubled communities in July last year, Dr. Phillips promised the residents a permanent police presence.
"Anything to enhance the peace in Mountain View is welcome by the people," said Mr. Tomlinson.
He is hoping that this new police station will be a multi-purpose one that will benefit the citizenry in some way. According to Mr. Tomlinson, the rival gunmen have settled their differences and measures have been put in place, where a community-based group is allowed to mediate all confrontations to avoid any escalation.
Head of the Kingston Eastern Police Division, Superintendent Doric Sinclair, said the station will serve a population of over 5,000 people from the surrounding communities of Mountain View Avenue. "The areas include Jarrett Lane, Jacques Road, Oliver Road, Burger Gully, Back Bush, parts of Winward Road and all those roads leading off Mountain View Avenue," said Supt. Sinclair.
