Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
Ann-Marie Warren (left) and Dumar McCarthy, residents of Balcombe Drive in Waterhouse, St. Andrew, paint the sidewalk as part of the Labour Day project in the area yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
BALCOMBE DRIVE has been torn by violence over the past two years, but residents yesterday buried their hatchets in the ground on Labour Day in a brave step to heal that rift.
Residents of the Waterhouse, St. Andrew, community armed themselves with paintbrushes, shovels and machetes, restoring sidewalks and cleaning up the area.
The community spirit was strong as volunteers worked shoulder to shoulder, painting kerbs and mixing cement, while others were busy cooking tasty meals 'run-a-boat' style.
"We have been dented by the wars for so long. It has so much impact on business and our lifestyle because people are scared of going out," said Raymond Malcolm, a resident. "So it cost us a lot by taking taxis; we don't have any bus running by Olympic Way anymore."
But yesterday was different. Persons could be seen working in unity and playing dominoes together.
For Dumar McCarthy, the Labour Day event is only a glimpse of what could happen if the community strived for peace.
"I am painting to help bring back the love and unity in the community. Me glad fi see dem can freely walk about today," he said while painting a sidewalk in the searing heat.
Pauline Dunn, otherwise known as 'Sista P', who spearheaded the activities, also believes this is the first move toward restoring unity.
"Despite the negative things, we have positive things going on in the community," she told The Gleaner.
Some residents, while endorsing the event, believe that for peace to return to the community, more needs to be done.
"We feel good about it (Labour Day activities), but dis alone can't bring back the community because we have some deportee in here that we need to get rid of," said one resident.
Citizens claim the friction in the community escalated when a don returned to take control. The don was eventually killed, but his gang members are reportedly still in the community.
"The police need to help us because they are wanted men. We are trying our best to keep peace, but we have some man who nuh have no status in the community and they need to go," said another resident argued.
