SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

Following the mass exodus of more than 200 residents from Gravel Heights in Tredegar Park, St Catherine, Member of Parlia-ment Natalie Neita-Headley has decided that a meeting among all the affected parties should be convened to iron out the problems existing in the community.

Neita-Headley, who represents the constituency of East Central St Catherine, said that, for too long, criminal elements have held law-abiding citizens under 'siege'. She claimed migrant criminals had found themselves embroiled in the fight for economic benefits and had aligned themselves with the two major political parties, even when their only intentions were criminal.

Criminal act

Neita-Headley argued that, whether or not the crime was political, the police should come in and deal with the matter in a proper and efficient manner that would benefit persons who had invested their lives in the St Catherine community.

"It is a criminal act. The police need to work in a way whereby these matters can be dealt with and persons who break the law can be brought to book," she said.

Meanwhile, several residents who were ordered by thugs to leave the community said they have, for months, wanted to attend a meeting to work out the existing problems.

Ultimatum

Recently, some persons have been shot, maimed or seen their homes burnt down, and, on Sunday, the gunmen gave an ultimatum: leave or face death.

On Sunday, several persons moved refrigerators, beds and other appliances in making a hasty retreat from the community they had called home - some for more than 20 years. They told The Gleaner their lives had been disrupted and that they hoped the powers that be could bring closure to the matter.

Meanwhile, the police said they would continue to maintain a presence in the area in the hope of bringing the criminals to justice.