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'LET OUR DONS GO' - Residents say they are scared without area leaders
Insecurity has now gripped the residents of some communities from which alleged gang members and leaders were summoned to turn themselves in to the police.
Last week the police released the names of 34 men who were dubbed 'persons of interest' from various communities in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine.
Checks by THE STAR have found that 25 of these men have so far turned themselves in and remain in custody but have not been charged.
Residents from most of these communities are, as a result, worrying for their safety and even go as far as to say they want back their dons.
Those who share this sentiment describe their area leaders as 'protectors' and admit to feeling that their homes are at risk due to their absence.
"Wi want back di general. A dem man deh a keep di peace roun' ya mek it so nice. Look how long yu nuh hear nuttin a gwaan roun dem side yah. A pure niceness and peace dem man deh deal wid," a resident of Fletcher's Land in central Kingston said. The police had identified Kevin 'Killer' Elliot of the community, as one of the men who were to turn themselves in for questioning. He adhered to the call last week Wednesday.
Residents of Matthews Lane shared similar thoughts after Michealous 'Zeekie' Phipps, son of the incarcerated leader Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, turned in himself last week Wednesday.
"Wi woulda like fi know wah dem want him fah? Afta nuttin naw gwaan a Matthews Lane. Dung yah nice, no violence naw gwaan," one resident said.
In Spanish Town, St Catherine, residents describe two alleged members of the One Order gang as their protectors and claim rivals of the men may use their absence as an opportunity to attack the communities which they are aligned to.
"Me personally nuh have a problem wid di police a try get rid a di gunman dem eno 'cause too much innocent people a dead, but dem fi go look fi real gunman dem weh a gi trouble and not di one dem weh naw deal wid nuh foolishness and a keep di peace so di people dem can live in peace," a resident of Tawes Pen said.
The call for the reputed gangsters came amidst last week's frightening flare-up of violence in the Corporate Area and St Catherine.
distraction
The flare-up saw police stations and members of the security forces being attacked in addition to vicious murders which were believed to be distractions for the security officials in the wake of a massive operation geared at nabbing west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
High-ranking members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force said though expected, it was sad that residents chose to still rely on other civilians for safety and not the police.
"This is nothing new. We know this is how some people think and it is a truly sad case. But, of course, the police will be working to assure the public that they can rely on the police for safety and not on another civilian," one source said.
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, said the strategy to keep these men off the streets has seen some benefits.
"Under the current limited state of emergency, individuals who we consider a threat to public safety and peace can be taken into custody," he said. "As a result of their associations, it seemed wise to have some of these individuals in our custody and so far we are seeing that their absence from the streets has been helpful in some ways."
Meanwhile, the police are still urging the following men to turn in themselves.
They are: three members of the Spanish Town-based Clansman gang: Jermaine 'Speedy' Morrison, Nevardo Hodges and Michael Maragh.
Harry 'Harry Dog' McLeod, Prince 'Tugman' Bucket and Paul 'Teddy Paul' Kirkpatrick of west Kingston and Michael 'Tony' Pasley and Calvin 'Collie' Harris from the Rat Bat gang.
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/2010...ews/news3.html
Insecurity has now gripped the residents of some communities from which alleged gang members and leaders were summoned to turn themselves in to the police.
Last week the police released the names of 34 men who were dubbed 'persons of interest' from various communities in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine.
Checks by THE STAR have found that 25 of these men have so far turned themselves in and remain in custody but have not been charged.
Residents from most of these communities are, as a result, worrying for their safety and even go as far as to say they want back their dons.
Those who share this sentiment describe their area leaders as 'protectors' and admit to feeling that their homes are at risk due to their absence.
"Wi want back di general. A dem man deh a keep di peace roun' ya mek it so nice. Look how long yu nuh hear nuttin a gwaan roun dem side yah. A pure niceness and peace dem man deh deal wid," a resident of Fletcher's Land in central Kingston said. The police had identified Kevin 'Killer' Elliot of the community, as one of the men who were to turn themselves in for questioning. He adhered to the call last week Wednesday.
Residents of Matthews Lane shared similar thoughts after Michealous 'Zeekie' Phipps, son of the incarcerated leader Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, turned in himself last week Wednesday.
"Wi woulda like fi know wah dem want him fah? Afta nuttin naw gwaan a Matthews Lane. Dung yah nice, no violence naw gwaan," one resident said.
In Spanish Town, St Catherine, residents describe two alleged members of the One Order gang as their protectors and claim rivals of the men may use their absence as an opportunity to attack the communities which they are aligned to.
"Me personally nuh have a problem wid di police a try get rid a di gunman dem eno 'cause too much innocent people a dead, but dem fi go look fi real gunman dem weh a gi trouble and not di one dem weh naw deal wid nuh foolishness and a keep di peace so di people dem can live in peace," a resident of Tawes Pen said.
The call for the reputed gangsters came amidst last week's frightening flare-up of violence in the Corporate Area and St Catherine.
distraction
The flare-up saw police stations and members of the security forces being attacked in addition to vicious murders which were believed to be distractions for the security officials in the wake of a massive operation geared at nabbing west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
High-ranking members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force said though expected, it was sad that residents chose to still rely on other civilians for safety and not the police.
"This is nothing new. We know this is how some people think and it is a truly sad case. But, of course, the police will be working to assure the public that they can rely on the police for safety and not on another civilian," one source said.
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, said the strategy to keep these men off the streets has seen some benefits.
"Under the current limited state of emergency, individuals who we consider a threat to public safety and peace can be taken into custody," he said. "As a result of their associations, it seemed wise to have some of these individuals in our custody and so far we are seeing that their absence from the streets has been helpful in some ways."
Meanwhile, the police are still urging the following men to turn in themselves.
They are: three members of the Spanish Town-based Clansman gang: Jermaine 'Speedy' Morrison, Nevardo Hodges and Michael Maragh.
Harry 'Harry Dog' McLeod, Prince 'Tugman' Bucket and Paul 'Teddy Paul' Kirkpatrick of west Kingston and Michael 'Tony' Pasley and Calvin 'Collie' Harris from the Rat Bat gang.
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/2010...ews/news3.html
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