No easing up — Gov’t vows to rout criminals

BY PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

THE State yesterday vowed to continue its effort to capture Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, recover illegal weapons in Tivoli Gardens and to rout criminal elements across the island.

The pledge came during a press conference at Jamaica House in Kingston where it was confirmed that 26 men have been killed, and 211 people -- including two women -- detained during the security forces' operation in Tivoli Gardens that started on Monday to apprehend Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug- and gun-running charges.

The operation, which was also aimed at restoring order to the community that had mounted barricades to prevent the security forces from entering, resulted in gunmen loyal to Coke engaging police and soldiers in fierce clashes.

The majority of the civilians killed are gunmen, Acting Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds told the Observer yesterday following the press conference.

A soldier has been killed and seven others injured, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said.

He said weapons were recovered from the men, some of whom were found dead in ditches and manning barricades leading into Tivoli Gardens.

Approximately 25 civilians have been injured during the operation the press conference was told.

During yesterday's briefing to update reporters on the joint police/military operation both Nelson, and Information Minister Daryl Vaz said the State will not back down from criminals.

Vaz said that it was now an opportune time to launch an all-out attack on criminals across the island, given the events that unfolded in Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston and other sections of the capital where heavily armed gunmen openly took on members of the security forces, creating mayhem and great unrest.

Said Vaz: "As a result of this operation there have been other criminal activities that have taken place in and around the Corporate Area which transcend political party lines and its strictly criminal elements either joining one another or using it as a distraction -- and the fact of the matter is that I can categorically state that the time has come when we have to take the [fight] frontally, without any apologies.

"So therefore, don't limit it to a matter of an operation in relation to the execution of a warrant. This country is under siege, and the time has come where it is going to be dealt with and this Government is ready to deal with it."

Since the armed forces commenced the operation in Tivoli on Monday, there have been an upsurge in roadblocks and intense gun battles between criminals and members of the security forces across the capital city, which is more than 100 miles east of the tourist resort city of Montego Bay and on which a limited State of Public Emergency has been imposed.

The Hannah Town Police Station in West Kingston was also torched during the unrest on Sunday and three police officers have been killed while trading bullets with gunmen. On Monday, the Darling Street Police Station, as well as the Coronation Market were set ablaze by gunmen.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Nelson said that the effort to arrest Coke was ongoing.

"The operation continues as we speak. The armed forces are examining each building to ensure that there are no criminals ensconced within and in search of weapons," said Nelson, who added that a number of weapons, bullet-proof vests and binoculars have been found.

Nelson also said that Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair, Public Defender Earl Witter and the Red Cross have been asked to investigate claims by residents in West Kingston that they are being abused by members of the security forces. (A complaint hotline, 946-1248, has been set up.)

Responding to a question at the briefing, ACP Hinds told the Observer that investigations are currently being conducted into the shooting death and injuring of soldiers during Monday's operation and that murder and gun-related charges may be slapped on Coke, based on the outcome of the probe.

Meanwhile, an appeal was made by Health Minister Ruddy Spencer for gunmen within communities in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital to cease from attacking hospital workers.

A clearing house on the operation in West Kingston has been established at the Hilton Kingston Hotel to provide information to the media, both local and overseas, Vaz said.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (26)

Cee Dubya
5/26/2010

Someone described yesterday’s sitting of Parliament - apparently one of unusual civility. No raucous spat-filled behaviour? What gives?
.
Perhaps the understanding, (which was already held by … almost everybody else, really) that this war on crime is not about Party but rather what’s best for Jamaica, is finally sinking in?
.
Could it be that persons are now feeling a bit anxious or sopm, what with PMBG reportedly being referred to as a “criminal affiliate” by the US gov? I imagine that, after all is said and done, a lot more will be said - one way or another. And who would be prepared to go down alone?
.
What’s that saying again? “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.”
.
Whatever the deal, let it sink in. Good must come of this. It won’t be overnight, but even time takes time.
.
(Btw, more responsible journalism at work here than that ABC report: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/world/americas/26jamaica.html?scp=2&sq=jamaica&st=cse)

Frank thomp
5/26/2010

Its good time to level Tivoli Garden and put that epensive real estate to productive use.

Brad Kerr
5/26/2010

This is an all out effort to capture (Kill) Dudus. What is it that this government dont want him to talk? Maybe it is too late to hide anything. After 16 years surveillance the U.S have its evidence and comes what may atleast two MPs will be indiccted with him. I am actually shocked by the silence of one MP from the east. He is the troulbe maker in cheif for the JLP and now his silence is deafening. I think rightnow its every man for himself so I would get the best lawyer money can buy. And please get a lawyer not a party hack. The good lawyers in Jamaica maybe alligned to a party but they are practisioner of the law so party affiliation does not matter. They represent clients not party. So yes Mr. Vaz no easing up, but hopefully when this is over we also rid the Parliament of the criminals hiding under the cover of the people as MP. Personally I am for the destruction of all Garrison irespectives of party affiliation. Only then will the message be sent loud and clear, its over no more

N Manley Blythe
5/26/2010

Action! Not a bagga-mout! Full steam ahead!

LLOYD BLAIR
5/26/2010

Today's New York Times front page headlines: A Third Day of Deadly Clashes in Jamaica
Here a few quotes.
"Politicians and crime bosses often team up to share power"
"An essential element of Mr. Coke's enterprise is the support it receives from the Jamaica Labour Party"
"The People's National Party although strongly critical of the Golding-Coke connection, has similar arrangements with dons of its own"
These are no new revelations but now that they are blared across the world will now force the parties to rid themselves of this nuisance

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
5/26/2010

The first measure/procedure in not easing up regarding these criminals in Tivoli Gardens is, that the relevant governmental authorities must categorically see to it, that all ASSETS involving DUDUS is immediately FROZEN if this measure has not been addressed to date. Anything short of this is poppycck and bovine scatology !!

PL BOGLE
5/26/2010

I hope the prime minister has learned from his mistakes. With this being said i support the security force in their efforts to establish law & order . However , i personally believe if the situation was handled differently in the beginning we would not have this outcome . I sincerely regret the loss of life and my condolences go out to families who have lost love ones in this ordeal . In january of this year Haiti made the news but it was a natural disaster . May of this year Jamaica made the news and this was a man made disaster . ETERNAL FATHER BLESS OUR LAND !

Patriot- NoParty
5/26/2010

Vaz you are a joke, did you not notice that for this year alone, before this operation to arrest Coke, 700 JAMAICANS had been MURDERED?
Where was your outrage?
You are all a blooming disgrace, JLP and PNP so called political parties, or should I just call you gangs.

LLOYD BLAIR
5/26/2010

I know with all the variables considered that many are not suprise by what is now taking place. For years we have heard that the security forces were no match for the gunmen in Jamaica.
But we see our forces taking it to these thugs and they should be unrelenting.
With regularity of embarassment I witness individuals spewing nonsense about their support for criminals and disdain for our police and soldiers. While we admit some in the force are rouge the majority are decent individuals bent on ensuring the safety of the population.
This opperation must not stop until the thugs in TG are eradicated, then on to the next spot.
No longer must criminals believe that they have the upper hand
Eternal Father bless our land and guide our forces with Your mighty hand

Lorenzo Forbes
5/26/2010

So Coke has sold his soul to the Devil for money and power, and the Devil must get his due. Collection time! Let this be a warning to others like him.

real southy
5/26/2010

i remember in the 80s when i was 16yrs old i was ordered by a thug in my community to enumerate for an upcoming general election. he had his gun in his hand and was in the presence of the candidate running in the election.they where going from house to house demanding that people
enumerate.that candidate is now a member of government i have so much hatred in my heart for HER.
for those of you who think that killing DUDUS will change anything you all are so hopelessly naive. NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF THE SAME POLITICIANS (PNP & JLP) REMAIN!!!!

Good Counsellor
5/26/2010

I am behind the troops 1000% We need to take the war to these hoodlums. Everybody notice seh no murder nu commit outside the corporate area and Spanish Town? All the criminals have converged in one area. We need to take them out in one blow!!!

Richard Edwards
5/26/2010

No retreat no surrender, instead of talking about social media is distorting news and this nonssense about setting up information post at some hotel in New Kingston, which by the way the number VAZ gave does not work, no one answers that phone. What they should be doing now, is setting up a number where residents can call the police/military and tell them where the guns are and offer them a reward for turning the guns in, but nooo, lets attack persons using Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information about a civil war. Please take it easy on the innocent, and the little children and the elderly. Make sure they can get to hospitals, they have food and give the Red Cross and Salvation Army unrestricted access, and to all the GOOD members of the police force and military exercise your duty with professionalism and with resrain. People stay off the streets, pretend there was a huge snow snorm ok.
Richard Edwards NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

tickyticky fish
5/26/2010

Island wide State of Emergency nothing short of that too much talking this is not the time for chatting it is time for actions this actions are over due. if yuh need help ask fi outside help wi no waan hear no more chatting.

Paul Lewis
5/26/2010

I can bet Mr. Vaz, that you will not press the Police to rout the criminals in the Gov't.. The nerve of these corrupt and brazen politicians....after fostering the total breakdown of the Law in Jamaica, to now pop up as if they are not the cause. Jamaica should not forget nor relent in their call for Bruce and his unholy Cabal to resign. Every utterance by these low-lives only stirs the hatred and disgust felt by a majority of Jamaicans for them. The other clowns in the Opposition need not feel as if we are willing to return them to the trough. We demand a better choice of representatives, let us at this time show our comtempt for these dregs of society....who are only in it for personal gain, and could careless what happens to our Country. CLEAN THEM ALL OUT .

JA Cynic
5/26/2010

A rather curious twist. No longer is the operation confined to the capture of the fugitive; it is now dealing with criminality.
Is this change in focus an admission that the original objective has failed?
The GOJ is seeking to find some rationale for the massive assault that has been devoid of meaninful results but has racked up considerable costs in financial , human and political terms.
JA Cynic

Maude Cooper
5/26/2010

Behind the forces all the way, and pray that God will guide them safely as they put their lives on the line for the good of the nation against the evil within that seek to destroy.

Jamaican Born
5/26/2010

Clara Brooks you are absolutely correct. Bruce and the rest are all mixed up in this thing so tightly they are so scared that if dudus is captured he will sing like a canary. I dont even think Dudus is in Tivoli, I feel he is somewhere safe like at Bruce's house or some secret place those criminal minds have tucked away. Start water boarding some of those officials giving them some truth serrum and watch the skelletons that flies out. This is a crime against humanity, get rid of all those over paid under worked wiicked infectious diseases we call government. Remove the labor parties and start over with congress and house of representative and a new priminister no more JLP or PNP have people vote on the issues and bring in a person with proven qualification to "help" run the country,

Clara Brooks
5/26/2010

Shame on Vaz, they should also clean up the politicians who are secretly giving info to the gunmen in TG AND OTHER AREAS. Jamaican politicians are so far gone corrupt that many scorned any attempt by the Golding to speak on these murders by the security forces and that of these thugs are not accepted. Jamaica must rid itself of these dirty and nasty JLP POLITICIANS WHOM has been responsible for bringing down this jewel of a country. The focus must be made on these politicians not just the thugs, cause it will be repeated. Why get rid of the bugs in the house when the house is the bug itself. Vaz, Bruce, and Samuda must be held responsible for these deaths. I sincerely hope Dudus gives himself up to the US authorities, where all the dirty little secrets can be used to clean up the dutty politicians. Get rid of them by form of legislature if found to be in cahoots with these gunmen islandwide. Stay alive Dudus, Stay alive we need to get to the bottom of this corruption. stay alive D.

Claude Ingram
5/26/2010

No easing up! Now is the time for ordinary Jamaicans who have suffered and have cowered in fear of the criminals over the years, to pluck up all the remaining strength and courage they can muster, and tell the army personnel who the gunmen are and where the guns are kept. Most people in their communities know where the guns are. This is your only chance to have a peaceful community free of these vipers. It is also imperative that this limited state of emergency not be scuppered by partisan interests. It must be extended to all other troubled parishes. All the constituencies with their enclaves of illegal weapons must be disarmed and purged of the so called “bad man dem” once and for all. Jamaica is changing for the better; the sufferings and inconvenience being experienced by the innocent and law abiding citizens will be bitter but short. A better Jamaica will be the reward for your sufferings. “root dem out”

Leon Archer
5/26/2010

It is good to see that the Min. of Information is now vowing to continue the fight against criminals and no longer defend them. This should and will send a good signal. However, I hope that his new resolve to fight crime will extend to him helping the Police to solve the brutal murder of a young man during the election campaign in his constituency, after the young man had defaced one of his billboards.
Let us clean up the system all over the Island now. Let us highlight ALL crime now, not only in Kingston. Give the Police the information so they can investigate when they have time to do so.
I am calling on all Jamaicans to use this time to root out the regular and political criminals among us.

Jay Brown
5/26/2010

Cowards attacking the hospital workers.
JDF snipers, please take care of these idiots - snipe then out.
Spare no one of these potential killers !!!

george watson
5/26/2010

The only tears I shed are those for the security forces. Samora Machel said the crocodile has to be killed inside the egg. For those of us who think we are bloodthirsty in this, it is just that we are FED UP and tired of losing OUR loved ones who are taken from us on a daily basis, for no rhyme or reason.

S D
5/26/2010

I back this move 150%. Get them all.

Patrick junior
5/26/2010

These people fro TG has always behave as if there is something more special about them and their area that they should not be policed by the state. I suppose seaga could shed some light on this mindset.

Richie L
5/26/2010

This operation must continue island-wide. The rest of the Corporate Area hot spots; Spanish Town and Portmore; Clarendon and St James. People in other communities must be vigilant for escaping cowards. Report them as soon you see them coming into your community.
.
There should be citizen volunteers who can go in and help the security force after an area is cleaned out of thugs. These volunteers could help with the search for guns and ammo and help people displaced.
.
Richie

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

No easing up — Gov’t vows to rout criminals