(Jamaica gleaner (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20010114/lead/lead3.html)
"my comments are in red"
Klao Bell, Staff Reporter
POLICE blotters are showing that the majority of the 885 murders committed in the country last year were either reprisal killings or they were linked to gangs and drugs. Ok I will give u that much
There were 126 drug/gang related murders and 280 reprisal killings, 47 per cent of the total murders for last year, the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) reported. This, according to police records, is a move away from politically motivated murders that dotted police blotters especially in election years. so that is a total 406...so what about the other 479? should i assume that the police killed them or witch craft?
However, none of the murders last year was linked to politics. Bullshit! Police statistics show that since 1997, the last election, there have been three politically motivated murders. Another pack of bullshit! And according to the CCN only one of the 1,038 murders of that year was political. Another pack of bullshit! I find this hard to believe especially after watching Ross Kemp documentary on Jamaican gangs…. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyIQmFC2M0)
The shift away from political tribalism, community observers claim, can be attributed to the diminishing role of the politician and the increasing role of the drug dons and families overseas in contributing to the economic welfare of inner-city residents.
"It's mainly a gang thing. The spoils, you see, are not coming from politicians any more but from friends and family abroad," said Kevin Lyons, a representative for the Community Conflict Resolution Committee in Waterhouse, St. Andrew. why do I get the feeling that you’re blaming the families overseas for the genocide in Jamaica…if the families don’t support, you will say its their fault because they are leaving their families helpless so they have no choice but to create havoc….yet when they do support, you still find fault…makes no sense….some one will have to explain this to me… "The youth are not politically motivated because politicians have failed them."
Professor Trevor Munroe, a political scientist at the University of the West Indies (UWI), explained that the "tradition of gangs, previously connected to political parties, have remained and have probably got stronger because of drugs."
Reprisal killings are the result of revenge or defence of turf among rival gangs. The rise of reprisal and gang-related killings have created internal conflict within some communities, including those with established political strongholds. Detective Superintendent Steve McGregor, operations officer for the Area 4 police division, calls this "in-fighting".
"There is no warfare along political lines," said Deputy Superintendent Steve McGregor. "Instead there is feuding with in-fighting within PNP (People's National Party) areas or JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) areas. Right now we are working to resolve conflict between Black Street, Bray Street and Bryden Street, all in 'Dunkirk'."
"Dunkirk" (officially named McIntyre Lands), is a traditional PNP stronghold in east Kingston. To residents of the community "in-fighting" is worse than fighting sparked by outside sources because it disrupts the order within the community and threatens the safety of residents. So what happen to setting up curfews?…employ more police and soldiers if u have to…sometimes I feel like the government is not taking this epidemic seriously…they know the problem why not fix it…u would kill two birds with one stone when u hire police and soldiers…1. More peace. 2 more employment…
"It's harder to deal with what is happening now, every street has a gang of some kind fighting against each other for power," said Herman Johnson, chairman of the Guardian Angels, a conflict resolution group in Whitfield Town, Kingston.
However, numerous peace initiatives and conflict resolution groups have been formed between and within communities. Traditional political enemies have been forging alliances, evident in communities such as Arnett Gardens (PNP) and Tivoli Gardens (JLP).
"The political climate in west Kingston has been calm and cool since 1993," said Desmond McKenzie, councillor for the Tivoli Gardens division. "The relationship between Arnett Gardens and ourselves is great...The leaders and the people are working to maintain that peace."
Similar peace agreements contributed to the absence of political tumult in 1997, and community leaders believe that this will hold up, even with indication of another election soon.
"We don't expect that the crimes will escalate, but we are now working on a plan to ensure that this peace is maintained during election," said Kenneth Wilson, president for the August Town Sports and Community Development Foundation. Good luck sir
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