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Published: Tuesday | July 20, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Soldiers stream into Rema on Monday, as the security forces fan out across the Corporate Area to net gangsters and guns. A two-day curfew in Rema was scheduled to end at 4 o'clock this morning. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
Times have changed since two months ago when dozens of residents from Tivoli Gardens, west [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Kingston[/COLOR][/COLOR], 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]operation[/COLOR][/COLOR] 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]security[/COLOR][/COLOR] 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Andrew[/COLOR][/COLOR] on May 23 but was extended and expanded last month to include St Catherine.
Noted social worker, Dr Peta-Anne Baker, of the University of the West Indies, said she is not surprised by the reaction of the people of Tivoli, despite a [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]torrent[/COLOR][/COLOR] of complaints about abuse by lawmen in the wake of the three-day gunfight in May.
She argued that, contrary to popular belief, not all residents objected to a state of emergency.
"They were opposed to being stigmatised and demonised," said Baker.
Emergent confidence
She said the support for the army and police may be coming from persons who were forced to remain silent for years, cowering in fear because of a community subculture which mandated that they kept their eyes closed and their mouths shut.
"Perhaps some of the proponents of the old order may be silent or absent," she added.
Baker suggested that with previously absent benefits such as medical and other social inter-vention being provided in the post-Coke era, it is likely the people of Tivoli Gardens are waiting to see what's next.
The residents also appear to be basking in community activities such as the summer programme initiated by the Anglican Diocese at St Alban's Primary School in Denham Town. The Anglicans have been hosting up to 430 young people over the last two weeks with programmes focused on com-passion, hospitality, integrity, service and faith.
Scores of volunteers from Anglican churches across the island have poured into Denham Town to assist in the cause, which will culminate in an outing. Aunt Molly, one of the administrators of the programme, described the two weeks of activity as a success.
A resident, who requested anonymity, admitted that she was apprehensive about the uncertainty that hovers.
"It is time that we bring an end to criminality and corruption once and for all," she said.
The woman expressed fear that enemies from other communities who desire to get even with Tivoli Gardens, as well as residents from within the community who hold vendettas, would make their move if the police and soldiers pulled out.
But even though she wants the security forces to remain in the community, the woman admitted she was displeased with the conduct of many police personnel, who she claimed persisted in behaving unprofessionally.
"Dem a try fe come with the community policing and it is a good idea, but if the police dem continue to come wid dem ignorance, it nah go work," she predicted.
The woman's sentiment was echoed by a young woman three years her junior.
"It must stay, it is helping to cut down crime," declared the 19-year-old.
A 58-year-old in Denham Town also declared: "Mek dem stay as long as dem like."
There was, however, a 38-year-old from Tivoli Gardens who was a rare exception in the chorus of support for a continuation of the state of emergency.
gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com
Published: Tuesday | July 20, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Soldiers stream into Rema on Monday, as the security forces fan out across the Corporate Area to net gangsters and guns. A two-day curfew in Rema was scheduled to end at 4 o'clock this morning. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
Times have changed since two months ago when dozens of residents from Tivoli Gardens, west [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Kingston[/COLOR][/COLOR], 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]operation[/COLOR][/COLOR] 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]security[/COLOR][/COLOR] 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 [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Andrew[/COLOR][/COLOR] on May 23 but was extended and expanded last month to include St Catherine.
Noted social worker, Dr Peta-Anne Baker, of the University of the West Indies, said she is not surprised by the reaction of the people of Tivoli, despite a [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]torrent[/COLOR][/COLOR] of complaints about abuse by lawmen in the wake of the three-day gunfight in May.
She argued that, contrary to popular belief, not all residents objected to a state of emergency.
"They were opposed to being stigmatised and demonised," said Baker.
Emergent confidence
She said the support for the army and police may be coming from persons who were forced to remain silent for years, cowering in fear because of a community subculture which mandated that they kept their eyes closed and their mouths shut.
"Perhaps some of the proponents of the old order may be silent or absent," she added.
Baker suggested that with previously absent benefits such as medical and other social inter-vention being provided in the post-Coke era, it is likely the people of Tivoli Gardens are waiting to see what's next.
The residents also appear to be basking in community activities such as the summer programme initiated by the Anglican Diocese at St Alban's Primary School in Denham Town. The Anglicans have been hosting up to 430 young people over the last two weeks with programmes focused on com-passion, hospitality, integrity, service and faith.
Scores of volunteers from Anglican churches across the island have poured into Denham Town to assist in the cause, which will culminate in an outing. Aunt Molly, one of the administrators of the programme, described the two weeks of activity as a success.
A resident, who requested anonymity, admitted that she was apprehensive about the uncertainty that hovers.
"It is time that we bring an end to criminality and corruption once and for all," she said.
The woman expressed fear that enemies from other communities who desire to get even with Tivoli Gardens, as well as residents from within the community who hold vendettas, would make their move if the police and soldiers pulled out.
But even though she wants the security forces to remain in the community, the woman admitted she was displeased with the conduct of many police personnel, who she claimed persisted in behaving unprofessionally.
"Dem a try fe come with the community policing and it is a good idea, but if the police dem continue to come wid dem ignorance, it nah go work," she predicted.
The woman's sentiment was echoed by a young woman three years her junior.
"It must stay, it is helping to cut down crime," declared the 19-year-old.
A 58-year-old in Denham Town also declared: "Mek dem stay as long as dem like."
There was, however, a 38-year-old from Tivoli Gardens who was a rare exception in the chorus of support for a continuation of the state of emergency.
gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com
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