FILE PHOTO: Phillips
Garwin Davis and Paul A. Reid, Staff Writers
MINISTER OF National Security Dr. Peter Phillips has described Saturday's arrest in Montego Bay of Kevin 'Richie Poo' Tyndale, a high-ranking member of the feared Gideon Warriors gang, as an "important step forward" in the fight against crime.
He was, however, quick to point out that the battle was far from over, adding that the security forces will not relent in the face of what he said were barbaric criminals who were bent on destroying the very fabric of society.
"There are many more steps that we have to take before the scourge of crime on the country is lifted," he told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday.
NO RELENTING
"We will not relent until we are able to dismantle violent criminal gangs. Their leadership and their members must be brought within the ambit of lawful behaviour, and we are determined to bring an end to the senseless violence which is taking the lives of too many of our people prematurely.
Dr. Phillips, a leading contender to replace P.J. Patterson as leader of the People's National Party (PNP) and prime minister of Jamaica, said his main focus currently was not on "assuming a higher office", but on how best to protect the people of the country against those "who have no respect for law and order."
"When I took this job, my thought was never about how it could affect my chances for leadership," he said. "Believe me when I say that I still hold the same view today. My motivation is to serve and protect...to have people feel safe in the confines of their homes or whether they are taking a casual walk down the street. I want a country where my kids...your kids ... can grow and lead meaningful lives. That is my driving force."
'NOT UNDER MY WATCH'
The National Security Minister warned that no criminal will be protected under the guise of political affiliation, saying "if you are breaking the law, political connection will not be a consideration... not under my watch."
He said that the plan of action is to target the volatile areas and try to flush out the gang leaders. "We have identified the areas that we believe are causing most of the problems," he added. "We will be taking a proactive approach ...we will be taking the fight to the criminals. As the commissioner noted the other day, we have to take back the streets."
Tyndale who had a $100,000 reward out for his capture was held at a house in the Black Shop area of Johns Hall during a six-hour operation led by officers from operation King Fish. He was held while in the company of two other men whose names have not been released by the police.
