PORTLAND, Jamaica — A group of approximately 14 Haitians including five women and a baby landed at a beach in Kensington, Portland on Saturday afternoon.

Five of the Haitians reportedly tried to run from the police, but were caught in a remote area near two cell towers.

Residents told Observer Online that the Haitians landed by boat about 2:00 pm.

“This area is Kensington near Ross Craig, because some came in couple months ago, so when I saw them I said this no look good. They were coming to land,” a resident said.

“I called my brother and said them look like Haitian, I don’t like how that boat a sail a come cross. By that time I saw the coast guard come up,” he added.

The resident said the JDF Coast Guard and marine police were quick on the beach.

“The coast guard patrolled the area for a while, so we were watching what was happening. The boat looked loaded too. They (Haitians) came in and afterwards I couldn’t see where they went,” he said.

“I saw the Coast Guard and the operation same time,” he added.

The resident said he is fearful for his safety with the continued landing of Haitians in the community.

“Because you don’t know what can happen. Sometime about two months ago there was an operation down there at the same place,” he said.

He commended the police and military for their swift response.

“When you look around, the police cover the place. They need a sniffer dog and thermal imaging to check the bush,” he said.

A strong contingent of police and soldiers are in the area. A JDF helicopter was also seen scanning the community.

— Kasey Williams