Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
Times have changed since two months ago when dozens of residents from Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston, marched in the streets and militants challenged the security forces in defence of alleged drug baron Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Many who reside in the once-fearsome community have called for an extension of the state of emergency, with only three days to go before the operation expires.
The about-face in Tivoli Gardens and neighbouring Denham Town is in stark contrast to the tumultuous lead-up to the May 23 events, which triggered the state of emergency and an unprecedented military assault on Coke's then barricaded fiefdom.
"When they are here, I feel much safer," a 23-year-old woman of Tivoli Gardens, who declined to give her name, told The Gleaner yesterday.
Emergency powers have granted the security forces increased authority to cordon and search communities and detain suspected gangsters and other persons of interest for weeks without charge. The state of emergency was implemented in Kingston and St Andrew on May 23 but was extended and expanded last month to include St Catherine.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead1.html
Times have changed since two months ago when dozens of residents from Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston, marched in the streets and militants challenged the security forces in defence of alleged drug baron Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Many who reside in the once-fearsome community have called for an extension of the state of emergency, with only three days to go before the operation expires.
The about-face in Tivoli Gardens and neighbouring Denham Town is in stark contrast to the tumultuous lead-up to the May 23 events, which triggered the state of emergency and an unprecedented military assault on Coke's then barricaded fiefdom.
"When they are here, I feel much safer," a 23-year-old woman of Tivoli Gardens, who declined to give her name, told The Gleaner yesterday.
Emergency powers have granted the security forces increased authority to cordon and search communities and detain suspected gangsters and other persons of interest for weeks without charge. The state of emergency was implemented in Kingston and St Andrew on May 23 but was extended and expanded last month to include St Catherine.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead1.html
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