SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
THREE BOYS, two of them aged 13 and 14, will appear in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court tomorrow, to answer to gun charges.
The three boys were held in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, about 1:00 p.m. last Friday, after they allegedly threatened to shoot an elderly man. The man went to the Old Harbour Police Station and lodged a report. The boys were detained in the town centre carrying a bag. When searched, a home-made handgun was found and they were subsequently charged with illegal possession of firearm.
The boys are reportedly from Old Harbour, Church Pen and Tivoli Gardens addresses.
This is the second time within a month that the police in St. Catherine have held boys under the age of 15 with illegal weapons. Last month, two schoolboys, one of whom is still in custody, were held in Bog Walk gambling. A search of a bag in their possession revealed a Webley and Scott revolver with several live rounds.
The police community relations officer told The Gleaner that they will be embarking on a drive where boys in violence-prone communities will be taken in by the police, placed at a safe house where they will be taught skills in attempts to put their lives on a safe path. This effort was endorsed recently by the St. Catherine Parish Development Committee.
