Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

The words of a resident best describe the atmosphere of the August Town community this festive season.

"This is a ghost town, not August Town," said John James.

"There's going to be no Christmas for August Town," said Mr. James, who has lived in the community for more than 20 years.

Reports are that since the death of the alleged area leader, Neil Wright, in November 2005, the community is faced with frequent episodes of violence.

During last year's Christmas season, housewife Glenda Simpson was among five persons reportedly killed by gunmen in the community.

The frustrated residents said that often, gunshots can be heard for half-hour periods, during the day or night, in the community. Now the area is numb; residents seldom walk the streets; everyone seems fearful for their lives.

Last Sunday, the police were said to have been in a shoot-out with armed men in the community.

While a Gleaner team was at the August Town Police Station on Wednesday, gunshots were heard. An officer said to us: "You hear that. That's all you hear in August Town."

Two minutes later, a transmission on the police radio advised that a woman had been gunned down at the bus stop on August Town Road, which is about 80 metres from the station.

The woman was identified as 52-year-old Marion Francis. Her death is the second since November.

With tears in his eyes, the officer replied: "No life is in this community. The whole community is dead. My job is very stressful, it seems like there is no end to it."

The police noted that their daily patrol of the community does not seem to stop the killings or shoot-outs.

"Every day shootings take place," said another officer.

RIVER

The residents claimed that the gunmen use a river that separates Bedward Pastures and August Town Road as their access route into the community.

"One time, all a daytime, you would see them coming up from the river on to (August Town) the Road with them big gun in them hand, and the people would run screaming," a resident said.

The children are also suffering. Two-year-old Omarraced through his house crying for his mother when he heard the shots that took Ms. Francis' life.

"My son is two and because the gunshots are so frequent, they know the sound. Sometimes when I go out and come back, my son says, 'Mommy, mi 'fraid. Lift me up please,'" said Jane Thomaswho has been living in August Town for 34 years.

Ms. Thomas added: "It breaks my heart to see what this community has come to. This is my home and it is so hard to leave and go and pay rent."

The once lively community on weekend nights with swinging parties is now a ghost town, said the residents. "We used to party right through the night, until we don't even know what time it is and morning would come," said Bobby, a 45-year-old resident.

"Lawd have mercy, a what August Town coming to," said an elderly female. Then she added, "Mi did a plan a family Christmas dinner a my yard, but it look like I am going to have to postpone it."

Joan Hedmann, vice-principal of the August Town Primary, whom The Gleaner visited before the shooting death of Ms. Francis, said that the students are more settled this holiday season than last year.

Last Christmas, in addition to the violence in the area, students were forced to contend with criminals who invaded the school compound, brandishing knives and stealing their lunch money. In November 2005, a woman was killed at her home behind the school.

"The violence, is pretty much the same in the community. But the children are less tense now," said Ms. Hedmann. Whenever the community experiences continuous violence, the parents pull their children from school, said the vice- principal.

Hurting children

"A few children are still hurting, because their relatives are affected by the violence."

She added: "When the teachers return to work after the weekend they will say that they heard gunshots on the weekend."

With social activities and motivational talks, the school hopes to encourage a positive outlook of the students while instilling in them the Christmas spirit. A musical of the Christmas Story 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' will be presented by the school next Wednesday - "Just to make sure, as best as we can, to make them enjoy Christmas and know the true meaning of the season," said the vice-principal.

She continued: "I wish for the children that they will have a peaceful Christmas and that a lot of healing takes place for those who are hurting."

Real names withheld.