By Howard Campbell, Gleaner WriterTHEY CALL themselves the 'New World Order' and, as their name suggests, they represent change.
And there is no place where they would like to see transformed than the troubled community of Southside in central Kingston.
The boys in the 'New World Order' are one of several crews (they despise the term gang) in Southside which has experienced outbursts of violence since early October.
Little had been heard of them until after November 6 when longtime area leader Franklin "Chubby Dread" Allen hinted that they had a hand in the assassination attempt on his life that day.
But the group of mostly unemployed 20-odd year-olds denied this allegation during an interview with The Gleaner recently. They say peace is the word in their part of 'South', which is located close to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre maximum security prison.
LIES
"Wi want him (Chubby Dread) fi tek the police offa wi 'cause a pure lie him a tell," said crew member Otis, 30. "Wi love Chubby Dread an' wi nuh inna nuh war wid him but we'd a love him clear wi name."
While 'New World Order's' members are critical of Chubby Dread's statements in the press about them, they point the finger at his faction, the Pow Crew, as being responsible for the unrest that has left five persons dead.
According to Merrick, the crew's oldest member at 32, the hostilities that began two years ago ended a two-year peace in Southside.
He claims fresh feuding started shortly after Hurricane Ivan when the Pow Crew wanted to cut in on casual work 'New World Order' members were holding down at the Kingston Ice Making Company Limited on Harbour Street.
"It wasn't nuh big food, seen? But when the hurricane lick and ice get in demand an' money get bigger dem come in an' waan tek over. Den man start go fi dem gun," he said.
The fighting's most tragic incident came early October 28 when four men were murdered on Fleet Street. The Kingston Central police say they have arrested and charged 31-year-old Anthony 'Prince Pow' Harding of Gold Street with the murder of Christopher Wallace, one of the murdered men. Wallace will be buried Sunday.
Some of the men in 'New World Order's' ranks say 'Chubby Dread', 54, acted as a mentor in their formative years. But they say he has little to show in terms of community development after years of wearing the area leader crown.
"Him dey pon the corners so long an' him don't even have sumptin' fi the youth dem like a training centre. Him don't even put on a treat," said Michael, 24.
COOPERATE WITH POLICE
Last week in an interview with The Gleaner, central Kingston Member of Parliament Victor Cummings said he hoped that last Sunday's peace march by the group, Parents of Inner-City Kids, would help cool tempers throughout Southside and influence residents to co-operate with thr police.
"The people in the communities need to give the police information because they know who the young men are, it's time for them to talk out," Mr. Cummings told The Gleaner.
Not many adults participated in Sunday's march the 'New World Order' said they stayed away because of fear. but the crew members are determined to see that Southside will enjoy a merry Christmas.
