KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston Western police say they have managed to break the backbone of an ongoing war in the Craig Town community and restore calm.

Head of the division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, said the police have managed to disrupt the operation of the two warring gangs in the community through a series of proactive activities.

“The Kingston Western police, with the support of our JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) counterparts and specialised operations through intense policing activities, have managed to impact the general Craig Town area of the division,” Phipps said.

“We have had some activities which included interventions, curfews, targeted and snap operations where the main perpetrators of violence in the area were our main focus.”

The police activities and intense investigations have led to the arrest and charge of a 17-year-old student for a double murder in the community two weeks ago.

The community had been under siege after the Gaza and 110 gangs began warring for turf, leading to a wave of violence in the area. This culminated in the double murder, which occurred in broad daylight.

Phipps promised the police would keep a presence in the community.  “We will remain in the area and, of course, continue our joint operations as we intend to arrest the main players, recover their weapons and restore calm to the general community. These efforts will continue,” he assured.