POLICE say strong measures are afoot to address the Gaza/Gully feud, which they said is increasingly threatening the stability of communities.

“We consider them to be threatening. If entire communities are calling themselves Gaza and Gully then that indeed is threatening because gangs are no longer six, 10, or 12 men, gangs are now major parts of communities,” Deputy Superintendent Victor Hamilton of the Mobile Reserve told a press briefing at the department’s offices Tuesday.

“We consider them threatening especially because they are attracting these young people. Gaza and Gully represents a real threat to the stability of our communities and our schools, they are no two ways about it,” added Hamilton.

While classifying the Gaza/ Gully factions as criminal gangs, Hamilton admitted that there is no evidence to suggest that they are as organised or dangerous as the more infamous One Order or Klansman gangs based in St Catherine, for example.

“To be honest we have not seen the level which speaks to serious things such as extortion and all as yet, we are not saying that is not happening, but thus far we are seeing scuffles and attacks. We know persons who are major crime figures who are actually attached to these gangs,” he said.

The Gaza/ Gully factions originated and are being led by dancehall entertainers Adijah Palmer, more popularly known as Vybez Kartel and David Brooks, who goes by the stage name Mavado. The feud between the two has led to many distasteful and violent lyrical exchanges and recently sparked public condemnation when followers, including students, started acting out their criminal messages.

Police say they have lost all hope in conveying the negative impacts of the feud to the two artistes, and said that other avenues will have to be explored to deal with the social implications.

“A lot has been said to the artistes, just last week Vybez Kartel was on an interview on a television programme and the man was adamant that is ‘Gaza him seh’ and ‘a Gaza for life’. I don’t know how far we would get with Vybez Kartel and Mavado, in that they seem to be benefiting from the nonsense that is happening,” Hamilton said.