Weeks after being pummelled by the force of Tropical Storm Gustav, residents of the war-torn community of McGregor Gully in South East St Andrew, breathed a sigh of relief last Thursday morning when, after weeks without assistance, relief finally came their way in the form of a mobile police post geared specifically towards community-oriented policing, conflict management and improving relations between the police and the people.

The initiative came through the Community Safety and Security section of the force and is now being spearheaded by the commissioner of police.

"Over the years, we've learned that aggressive policing has not done us very well," said deputy superintendent of police and commanding officer for the Kingston Eastern Division, Michael Bailey.

Successful elsewhere

"We know from the experience of other countries that community-oriented policing has been successful and there's no reason it cannot be successful here in Jamaica as long as we have people who are dedicated and want to make a change," he said.

A flock of residents crowded around the police unit to receive donations of bedding, shoes, clothes, soap and even crayons. Bailey said the unit has been deployed since last Tuesday and has so far travelled to the Eastern Kingston communities of Rockfort and Harbour View and will continue similar efforts for another two weeks before pressing to have the stations permanently in place.

"We chose the community of McGregor Gully because they suffered tremendous damage during the passage of the last storm," said Bailey. "They suffered loss of furniture, clothing, bedding and other household items as well as damage to their houses, and we are here to give them some support."

Excitement

After almost drowning during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, Vita Atkinson, a 65-year-old resident of McGregor Gully could hardly contain her excitement.

"I am the only person living at my house," she said, "I thank God for my neighbours who came and pulled me out through a window, and I am thanking the Lord abundantly for the police who are working in the community, because sometimes when the storm is blowing, only they can come to your assistance; it makes no sense we stick to lawlessness, it is time for us to keep the peace!"