WESTERN BUREAU — Minister of National Security, Dr Peter Phillips has asked the Bishop Herro Blair-led Peace Management Initiative to visit the inner-city community of Canterbury, Montego Bay, the scene of last week’s stand-off between gunmen and police.

“I have already indicated to Bishop Blair and the members of the Peace Management Initiative in the Corporate Area, that we would like to try and identify persons of goodwill who have the appropriate levels of trust from all elements in the community,” Dr Phillips said yesterday.

The security minister was addressing members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in Montego Bay, who were engaged in last week’s gun battle in which three alleged gunmen were shot dead and three policemen shot and injured.

In addition, the police detained more than 25 persons and recovered eight firearms and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.

Dr Phillips pointed out that in addition to providing more resources to the lawmen to carry out their work, “the social and community side of the equation” must also be addressed.

He said the PMI would seek to find people in Canterbury who would be able to help community members understand that there was no future in a life of crime and violence.

Bishop Blair was unable to give a timeline for when the PMI would begin working in the troubled community as the police are still carrying out operations in the area.

“As soon as that is done we will endeavour to go in,” he said.

He said he had already identified some persons in Montego Bay who would be asked to assist the PMI in Canterbury.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association as well as Custos of Montego Bay, Clarence Nelson, have so far pledged their support for the project.