- MONIQUE HEPBURN PHOTO
Police tour sections of Norwood.
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
THE VOLATILE Norwood community, in north-west St. James, which has witnessed a spate of brutal murders within recent weeks, is to benefit from separate initiatives announced by the ruling People's National Party (PNP) and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Last Tuesday, the PNP's constituency executive for North West St. James announced the establishment of the 'Norwood Relief Fund' while on Friday, JLP deputy leader and Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Horace Chang, outlined plans to revitalise citizen-based organisations through a partnership with community leaders.
RELIEF FUND
In explaining the 'Norwood Relief Fund,' businessman Henry McCurdy, who will be representing the PNP in the constituency in the next general election, said its mandate is to solicit emergency funds by targeting businesses and financial institutions to address some of the pressing needs facing residents.
"The violence has caused serious dislocation and the residents are hurting," said Mr. McCurdy. "Some of the children are not attending school as some of them have been robbed of their parents and a stable home environment."
Dr. Chang, who has been meeting with community leaders, is initiating a drive to revitalise the Norwood Provident Society. In addition, he is seeking outside intervention to address critical needs such as street lighting, a proper water supply along with social infrastructure such as schools, a police station and community centres.
"I have met with youth club leaders to establish a youth leadership council," said Dr. Chang, who was instrumental in getting a military unit deployed in the area with the shootings and murders spiralling out of control. "It is my hope that the providence society and youth leadership will combine to initiate projects to improve the quality of life in Norwood."
Montego Bay's 19 inner-city communities, 17 of which are in Dr. Chang's constituency, have been labeled premier centres of criminality by the city's police high command. Police statistics have revealed that these communities account for over 80 per cent of the annual murder count, which has exceeded 100 every year since 2001.
Norwood, the most prominent of the inner-city areas, is said to be the home of the much-feared Stone Crusher Gang, which is said to be behind the string of murders. A number of gang members have been killed in confrontation with the police in recent weeks.
