Robert Lalah, Staff ReporterIN THE violence-torn community of March Pen Road, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, a small group of women has decided to take a stand against crime by simply staying put.
The community is rapidly becoming a ghost town, as terrified residents flee on a daily basis, fearing harm from the ongoing gang feud between rival 'One Order' and 'Klansman' factions.
The group of five women has decided that they will not abandon their homes and community, but will instead maintain their presence in an effort to "prevent the criminals from winning".
Eva Chang, a 43-year-old mother of two, said the time has come for decent Jamaicans to stop running and instead fight for what is right.
"We have to stop running at some point. This is where my home is and where my boys grew up. If people left their community every time violence happened, then you'll soon find that the criminals dem control every community in Jamaica," she said.
Ms. Chang said she often gets scared, as only two nights ago there was continuous gunfire just outside her door. This, she said, often leads her to worry about her sons.
"My boys are both in their early 20s so I can't tell them to stay inside or anything, cause you know how boy pickney stay. So anytime I hear shot start fire, mi start fret. But dem stay like me. Them decide them not inna nuh war thing an dem will not leave me. I am a woman of God and I know what is right," she said.
NOT LEAVING AREA
As Ms. Chang stood in front of her three-bedroom home speaking these words, a young woman and a boy no older than five years old could be seen pushing a hand cart laden with a bed frame and mattress another family making its escape.
Ms. Chang's neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, has also decided to remain in the community despite the violence. She, however, has sent her children away.
"Mi did too fraid fi di pickney dem so mi send dem gone a country wid mi sister. I stay behind 'cause God work must get done. We will stay till dem kill we, cause
somebody must stand up," she said, beating a fist into her open palm.
The other members of the group all endorsed the feelings expressed by Ms. Chang and her neighbour.
They, too, remained adamant that they would not leave. As evening drew near and the few remaining residents of the community scampered into their homes and locked the doors, this group of women ventured out into the lane, determined to go about their normal routine and in their own way, take back their community.
