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Heat on Government over central Kingston crime
published: Monday | April 14, 2008
A policeman walks by 28 spent shell markers on Laws Street in downtown Kingston after a daring attack by gunmen on Thursday afternoon. Thirteen persons were injured in the attack. One person later died. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
Rosalie Hamilton, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Rae Town division in central Kingston, yesterday launched a broadside against the Government and the police for what she described as their failure to stem ongoing violence in sections of the constituency.
At least two persons have been killed there since last Thursday.
"I am having several difficulties in the area and I am now upset at the national security minister who is sick," an incensed Hamilton said during the JLP Area Council One meeting held yesterday at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters in St Andrew.
Violence claimed yet another life yesterday morning when Maxine Smith, 43, of Pryce Lane, Kingston, was shot dead by a lone gunman on East Queen Street.
"We are having problems in central Kingston and while we have stayed the course for 18 years and we don't expect everything to change, there are simple things that the party can do to assist us in the area," she said.
Residents victimised
Hamilton accused the police of "victimising" persons from certain sections of central Kingston.
"Nobody who is really fighting have been killed because they can't catch dem one another. Dem just a take it out on people's parents and strangers and just because you happen to live in a community. How could the State sit down and allow the citizens of the country to be living dem life like that," Hamilton asked.
The latest round of violence, which, according to Hamilton, has been transpired for the last three years, escalated on Thursday when 13 persons, including an infant, were shot on Gold and Laws streets in downtown Kingston. Herbert Smith, 35, of Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, later succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Millicent Sproul-Thomas, divisional commander of the central Kingston police, told The Gleaner yesterday that she was not aware of Hamilton's grouses with the police.
"I don't know about that, I happened to speak to her recently and she did not indicate that (complaint) to me. If she has her evidence, then she knows where to take that to me."
Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites has condemned the ongoing violence and said that he would be seeking to make intervention to curb the violence. He also urged all stakeholders in the area to work together to address crime and violence.
published: Monday | April 14, 2008
A policeman walks by 28 spent shell markers on Laws Street in downtown Kingston after a daring attack by gunmen on Thursday afternoon. Thirteen persons were injured in the attack. One person later died. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
Rosalie Hamilton, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Rae Town division in central Kingston, yesterday launched a broadside against the Government and the police for what she described as their failure to stem ongoing violence in sections of the constituency.
At least two persons have been killed there since last Thursday.
"I am having several difficulties in the area and I am now upset at the national security minister who is sick," an incensed Hamilton said during the JLP Area Council One meeting held yesterday at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters in St Andrew.
Violence claimed yet another life yesterday morning when Maxine Smith, 43, of Pryce Lane, Kingston, was shot dead by a lone gunman on East Queen Street.
"We are having problems in central Kingston and while we have stayed the course for 18 years and we don't expect everything to change, there are simple things that the party can do to assist us in the area," she said.
Residents victimised
Hamilton accused the police of "victimising" persons from certain sections of central Kingston.
"Nobody who is really fighting have been killed because they can't catch dem one another. Dem just a take it out on people's parents and strangers and just because you happen to live in a community. How could the State sit down and allow the citizens of the country to be living dem life like that," Hamilton asked.
The latest round of violence, which, according to Hamilton, has been transpired for the last three years, escalated on Thursday when 13 persons, including an infant, were shot on Gold and Laws streets in downtown Kingston. Herbert Smith, 35, of Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, later succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Millicent Sproul-Thomas, divisional commander of the central Kingston police, told The Gleaner yesterday that she was not aware of Hamilton's grouses with the police.
"I don't know about that, I happened to speak to her recently and she did not indicate that (complaint) to me. If she has her evidence, then she knows where to take that to me."
Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites has condemned the ongoing violence and said that he would be seeking to make intervention to curb the violence. He also urged all stakeholders in the area to work together to address crime and violence.
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