Cops paint scenario in the event of 'Dudus' extradition
Friday, March 19, 2010
THERE is growing fear among some members of the island's security forces that if Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has to be extradited, elements of the criminal underworld could put aside political differences to wage a united battle against law and order.
Three senior lawmen with understanding of how local gangs operate, Wednesday said they believed such a situation was very possible. The cops requested that their names not be disclosed, as they were not authorised to speak to the Observer.
"We are not ruling out anything at this time," said one of the lawmen who, at the same time, warned that the police would not cower in fear in the face of any such assault.
The other two cops, each with over 10 years' experience in the force, referred to the incident that occurred in 1998 when Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps, then PNP strongman from the Matthews Lane area, was first held by police, as evidence of a scenario that could be re-enacted.
The cops recalled that over 1,000 angry, placard-bearing protesters converged on the Central Police Station in downtown Kingston where Zeeks was being held, shouting "Justice for Zeeks!" and demanding his release.
"The angry mob, some of them not PNP (People's National Party) supporters, protested for two days demanding that if Zeeks was not released, life would not return to normal," one of the senior lawmen recalled.
The incident resulted in the death of one person and the injury of several others. Phipps was later brought onto a balcony where he was allowed to address his supporters, calling for calm from a police megaphone.
The lawmen said they believed that the Zeeks incident would pale in comparison to what could take place in the case of 'Dudus', the Tivoli Gardens don.
"Right now, there is a strong belief that Tivoli Gardens is a 'stronghold' revered by gangs from all political corners," one of the senior officers suggested to the Observer.
Another member of the group shared the same view but believed that other gangs from across the island could get involved for other reasons.
"What you have to understand is that many of the criminals, because of 'assistance' that Tivoli may have provided for them in the past (in terms of equipment), might want to join hands and help to create diversions to draw the police attention away from the area," said the cop.
National Security Minister Dwight Nelson has gone on record as saying that high-level police intelligence revealed that 268 gangs were operating throughout Jamaica.
He said Government was focusing on preparing strong anti-gang legislation that would target, infiltrate and dismantle criminal gangs.
The legislation, Nelson said, would also identify and arrest members of criminal gangs; ensure long sentences for gang members; conduct a thorough historical and proactive investigation into the activities of gang members; and develop intelligence as to each member's association with and participation in gangs.
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3/19/2010
pre-emptive strike ?
3/19/2010
The`mutual treaty,itself,said,if,such a scenario, presented itself,to the mutual partner, was amongst reasons, for saying `no,too.
Black people,some of them , themselves not honrable, too quick to call eavch others `criminals` thru `possible smearings and accusations` only.
With white folks, it is `innocent until proven guilty`
Why can not we ,recognize,this level, for us, folks, who blacks.
One love philosophy.
3/19/2010
** PUT RENETO ADAMS IN CHARGE OF CRIME FIGHTING & GANG BUSTING** HAVE EVERY MEMBER OF THE MILITARY READY WITH EVERY PIECE OF ARMORY AVAILABLE ,INITIATE A CURFEW FOR THE WHOLE ISLAND, AND CLEAN IT UP ONCE AND FOR ALL. ANYONE WHO RESISTS THIS , SHOULD BE MET WITH THE STRONGEST FORCE POSSIBLE..MEK CRIMINAL BUAWY QUAKE INNA DEM SNEEKERS. ONCE & FOR ALL JUST DONE IT>>>>A SO IT FI GO
3/19/2010
Hysteria!
3/19/2010
The policemen speaking seem to be very cowardly and weak, the writer said there could be other gang members drawn in to assist the fight for their criminal rights, well I say, let them gather together that should be a good go ahead to ask the US and other Countries for help in eradicating the criminal elements with one drone attack.
3/19/2010
The very notion of criminal gangs coming together NATO-style to defend this one "Don" is preposterous at best. No one is buying that argument and you shouldn't be selling it. It's an insult to the intelligence of Jamaican people, and quoting anonymous sources certainly does not help. This seems to be fearmongering that can only benefit Mr. Coke and his cronies.
3/19/2010
This "saga" has been going on for months, and hit fever pitch over the last few weeks. Not once have we heard Mr. Cokes position, he has no need to comment because he is being so heavily insulated by the Prime Minister. It is rumored that Dudus would be willing to take his chances in the court, but this doesn't sit well with those for whose "secrets" he shares. - word on the side streets.
3/19/2010
I guess what this is saying is that gangsters, no matter what colour they wear, are taking keen notes and seeing who would really stand up for them. This is not to say that illegal activities should be condoned but simply that we must be careful of the seeds we plant. I do believe the policemen story and there are parts of the threaty (if I read the bits correctly) that provides for things such as this. Is this now saying that this is another avenue to stop this extradition. In all this back and fourth over this issue I don't believe that noone brought up the fact that what was alledgedly done by Mr Coke is also illegal in Jamaica; so why don't these politicians who are calling for his extradition not just call on the minister of justice to prosecute him for breaking Jamaican laws.
3/19/2010
I dont want to sound away ...but isnt it the police job to prevent this kind of situation (war)....the police r well armed to fight back...and from what i can see they seems to love the action
3/19/2010
such a shame on the government of ja, cant even handle a slum don, then call in the u.s army, we know how to handle thugs from iraq to afganisthan, simple take them out and leave the bodies in the streets, they are terrorist
3/19/2010
We all know the possibilities, but the law must prevail. No man is above the law. A message must be sent to those willing to take his place. I hope the anti-gang law is passed before the extradition takes place.
3/19/2010
Mr. Editor, I hardly think that this type of material, which has derived from rum-bar gossips, should have been delivered to your audience. These supposedly high-profile cops are not part of the JCF decision making team and therefore, are only allowed to do exactly what you have labelled them as, mere speculators. Other than offering ideas and ammunitions to unsophisticated thugs, I really don’t see the importance of this disclosure. Furthermore, the infamous mayhem created by godfather Zeeks, has established adequate precedence for our security forces. While I understand the concerns of the lawmen, the alternative to not apprehending and dismantling these organized gangs should not be pursued. As the old saying goes, “if yuh fraid a fish eye yuh caan eat di head.” The bottom line is, we cannot allow the criminal underworld to continue on its current path and just sit back and bawl out everyday, “Lord dem murda Misa Brown sick bwoy.” The cops who are concerned about the possibility of a sustained fire fight with the alleged crooks, should not have exposed their fear so openly, in fact, they have nothing to fear because they are usually the victors in these so-called gun battles, as the thugs are not known for their success in hitting alert targets. Peace out!
3/19/2010
Well well, we have sown the wind by tolerating these lowlife criminals called Community Leaders or "Dons" now we are about to reap the whirlwind. Imagine that we have reached the point where even the Security Forces are terrified if a criminal like Dudus is aprehended. My fellow Jamaicans do you really understand the far reaching implications of this news article. The number one criminal in the island is backed by the Prime minister and the Security forces is "afraid of the consequences if this person is arrested". On the other hand we have to think logically, if Dudus has so much power and influence over everyday life in Jamaica then maybe it would be a good idea for him to Govern the Country, because since we cant get beat him we might as well Join him.
3/19/2010
In the event that if that happens, after the storm, there will be a calm.
3/19/2010
The Zeeks' issue was different, no one expected that to have happened and so they were caught off guard. The security forces now have ample time to strategize and be proactive.
3/19/2010
So what happen to this legislation? How many innocent people must die before this legislation is pass? Only when one of the politician's family member get kill only then this legislation will pass. Too much chatting and no actions the government must launch a pre-empt strike against these home grown terrorists in Jamaica and declare a State of Emergency go house to house and clean out those houses if the government don't have enough security personnel ask for outside help other countries will be willing and gladly to help Jamaica just to name a few Cuba, US, UK, Canada,and Israel.
3/19/2010
Good Lord , the scenario described by these officers must be envisioned by more than just these three. Knowing how co-workers talk at every gathering ,this must be a fear that is held by most of the force. How can there be effective policing ?, when I am sure, they have encountered or have heard of the untouchables. Many Jamaicans can tell a story of the special treatment received by some outlaw. Can the Nation continue to accept this. The inmates are effectively running the institution. Lord have mercy ...... wha de small man fi do
3/19/2010
This may be Bigger than the local forces can cope with, given meagre resources & corruption--that is if the rumours are true.They may be part of the hype
Us "assistance" in this matter will be central to this operation--the mantra being in the old west style"Wanted Dead or Alive".
We will not speculate on the choices that have been made by the US, GOJ or Dudus
JA Cynic
3/19/2010
If we are not to extradite Mr. Coke based on what might happen in terms of criminals protesting in whatever form, then we might as well just pack it in and say bye bye to any semblance of law and order that we have left. Just goes to show what happens when politicians of whatever stripe “wrap up” with criminals. They unite with each other, no matter their political ilk, when the status quo for them is threatened. Criminals are what they are and their objective is not to support any political party but to get whatever they can from the system. Why can’t the politicians of both political parties see that?
Surely power can’t be that important to these people that they will sacrifice a nation to get or maintain power? The criminals use the politicians so that they turn the other way as they get their ill-gotten gains, and the politicians use them to either get or remain in power and we the law abiding citizens are helpless pawns in the game.
I felt so ashamed watching “Judge Judy” yesterday when one of the parties in the case told the millions of people who watch Judge Judy that she was coming to Jamaica last year, but everybody she knew was told her that if she had to come then she should not come alone.
This I am sure makes nonsense of a great deal of the millions of dollars spent every year on advertising, trying to promote Jamaican tourism and is worst that any travel advisory that the United States could ever issue against Jamaica.
Surely if we expect anarchy in the event of Mr. Coke’s extradition, then it should not be too much to ask the United States to stand by to help us in such an eventuality. Time to pack in that rubbish about sovereignty when we cannot depend on our government to provide the economic conditions that we can find honest work to provide for our wives and children and hundreds of Jamaican are dying each year because they cannot protect us.
The dead are crying from their graves for justice….not just Mr. Coke.
3/19/2010
"You can't bend a tree when its old; you must break it when its out of control".
Ordinary, decent, hard working, law-abiding patriots (citizens) did not create these GARRISONED MONSTERS. Tribal politicians did. And they fed and nurtured it and now look what it has become- the biggest embarrassment in the history of Jamaica, even more so that chatel slavery.
If our present crop of parliamentarians had a spect of decency, they would all resign! Most because they''re complicit and the others because of duty to country. If I were a member of this current parliament, I would stop attending sittings because my attendance would be giving legitimacy to illegitimacy.
3/19/2010
It is time for the government to stand up and purge our Island of the criminal element who have forfieted the right to walk freely among us.
There was a time when we were proud of ourselves and shunned the criminal element, now we seem to glorify them as they ruin everything we have worked to build.
3/19/2010
I am interested in how the police plan to address this growing concern or fear.
For me one way is to cut off the head before the big event. It take leadership to start a coordinated event, if you remove the head and second tier leadership, mass confusion sets in and then you clinically dismember the body.
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