KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, says the country cannot afford to legitimise the presence of so-called “dons” in inner-city communities.

Speaking at a Rotary Club of Kingston meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, Chuck warned that the country would be making a serious mistake if it adopted that attitude.

“This country cannot legitimate dons. This country would be making a serious mistake if it even has further discussions with these dons as to how we are going to develop a community or the country,” he said.

“Unless they go on the straight and narrow path, there is no way this country can even consider them for work or any sort of participation in any redevelopment,” he stated.

“That was my position in North East St Andrew, and that is why we don’t have any gangs or dons there,” he added.

Chuck also described some of the communities as criminogenic or living off criminal activities.

“It’s a fact of life that when a successful robbery takes place, the community cheers because the largesse is spread,” he stated.

“The scammers and dons are seen as the Robin Hoods of today, bringing benefits to their communities,” he said, noting that this was the perception that led to a number of Corporate Area “dons” wanting a meeting with the authorities to discuss the redevelopment of downtown Kingston.

The media reported last week that more than 30 “dons” have informed stakeholders in the redevelopment of downtown Kingston that they want a piece of the action to restore the capital city, and have expressed willingness to participate.

Balford Henry