Maurice Jones, engineer, explains a map illustrating the gully courses and waterways in Jacks Hill, St Andrew, to residents and representatives of several agencies during a meeting in the community last night - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Concerned residents in Jack Hill, St Andrew, last evening gathered to discuss critical environmental issues affecting their community.

Drainage was one of the main issues highlighted at the meeting.

Maurice Jones, an engineer who has lived in Jack's Hill for more than a decade said new developments in the community has impacted the drainage systems as well as the dumping of garbage in gullies.

Attorney-at-law Warrington Williams echoed similar sentiments while imploring residents to follow the relevant building guidelines.

"We are not very safe because of the new developments, and the poor drainage systems we have," he said.

According to the member of parliament for North East St Andrew, Delroy Chuck, squatting had also become a problem and has been contributing to the drainage and flooding woes.

He said most of the silt in the gullies a washed from hillsides where squatters now live.

"They should not be living up there," the member of parliament charged.