Cops praised for calm in Rockfort
THE East Kingston Police are coming in for high praises from residents of Rockfort over the success they are having in reducing violence among criminal gangs in the area.
Only months ago, people were fleeing the area — fed up with the constant bloodletting. But things have changed.
“We really feel safer in our homes because of the work of the police and we want to commend them for their efforts,” one resident Mercella Smith told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
“This is true, a few months ago none of us would dare to venture from our homes but because of the work of the authorities all of this is now improving,” interjected a man who identified himself only as Owen.
“Big up the police on their efforts; the only thing that has left us worried is the fact that we can’t keep no dance or no party as the authorities have placed a ban on any large gathering in the area,” said another resident.
“This is one setback we are willing to live with as we understand that is all part of the efforts of the authorities to clamp down on the crime problem,” the resident added.
In October, four people were shot and killed at a bar in the community, triggering fear and a mass exodus of people from the area.
Police at the time said the attacks were the end result of a turf war taking place in the community. However, residents said the attacks were linked to home-grown extortionists whose efforts to carry out their illegal activities outside the community were thwarted by the police’s anti-crime measures.
— Alicia Barrett