Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

( L - R ) Frater, Levy

Six days ago, a pregnant woman and a one-year-old child were murdered by gunmen in Tower Hill. Then, on Monday night, two persons were shot, one fatally, in a drive-by shooting which occurred in Greenwich Town. Shortly after that incident, another man was slain and his body set ablaze by gunmen in August Town.

Ugly incidents have left a number of inner-city communities across the Corporate Area gripped with tension. Among them are central Kingston, August Town, Tower Hill and Greenwich Town.

The sporadic shootings have transformed some of the once busy communities into ghost towns. Before nightfall, residents are battened down inside their homes, while heavily armed gunmen roam the streets. More than 400 persons have been killed violently in separate incidents across the island since January.

Prioritising deployment

"We have reviewed our policing activities in these areas and are currently looking at prioritising our deployment with a view of arresting the troublemakers," Assistant Commissioner Denver Frater told The Gleaner Tuesday.

He believes this strategy would boost the confidence of witnesses and help in the conviction of criminals.

"I am imploring residents not to be like sitting ducks. Speak out! We have a vibrant Witness Protection Programme which can shelter you from criminals if your life is at risk," Frater said.

Two gangs have been creating havoc in the Tower Hill community. According to police, the Greenwich Town community has seen an upsurge in shootings since the release from prison of an inmate who has been marked for death.

Horace Levy, executive member of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI), a mediation body, said, in the case of August Town, arms proliferation among various gangs has fuelled a turf war.

Ineffective police

"One of the problems in August Town is that the police there are ineffective and they don't seem to know what is going on," said Levy.

He said members of the PMI have been in dialogue with residents since last week.

"We do not attempt to do police work. The police are there to catch and convict criminals. The PMI's role is to restore the community," said Levy.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com