Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Monsignor Richard Albert (right) prays with (from left) David Campbell, Panseta Wright, Christopher Brown and Anthony Robinson, residents of the March Pen Road community in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Residents of the community, which for years has been split into three opposing groups, have declared that they are now united and have put an end to all rivalry. The group met yesterday at the March Pen Road Community Centre. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
RESIDENTS OF the politically-segregated March Pen Road community in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, an area notorious for sporadic episodes of bloody mayhem, have banded together declaring a united front against violence.
The area leaders of sections of March Pen Road that for years have been at a war with each other, came together yesterday to vow that from now on, there will be peace in the community.
They came together at a special meeting on the playing field of the March Pen Road Community Centre, with the police, members of the church and representatives of the Social Development Commission (SDC).
Christopher Brown, who was described
by a senior police officer as an influential community leader, explained the rationale for the unification of the community.
"We decide that we cannot take it anymore. Every day all we hear is gunshot and murder. We just tired of it now and we realise that is time we unite and end all the war," he told The Gleaner.
HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
March Pen Road, which encompasses
communities like Africa and Big Tree, has for years been split into three rival factions. The sections are known as Top, Middle and Bottom March Pen. At different times in 2005 and even earlier this year, these areas were thrust into the spotlight as residents of the communities clashed. The communities are known for being tied to opposing political parties.
But as the area leaders tell it, March Pen Road has said goodbye to political rivalry and is now one united community.
"We tired of the garrison stigma and it not getting us anywhere, so we decided to come together and work as one. It so happen that the man dem inna di middle were thinking the same thing. So everything work out nice," said Mr. Brown, who is from Top March Pen.
David Campbell represented Middle March Pen at yesterday's function. According to him, residents will continue to hold their personal political views, but from now on, there will be no physical clashes between persons with opposing allegiances.
Throughout the function, the representatives of the sections of the community that for years were at odds, chatted and laughed together, as several residents looked on.
In the meantime, Monsignor Richard Albert of the Spanish Town Crime Prevention Committee said the community should be held up as an example for the rest of the nation.
"The Government needs to look at this though and do its part. They need to start spending some more money here to improve the residents' way of life," he said.
