NORWOOD, St James — With no murders recorded over the last two years, Norwood is once again being seen as a place to call home, according to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

“It’s a far more peaceful community now. Peaceful to the point where lands that were abandoned right here in Norwood, the HAJ [Housing Authority of Jamaica] is reporting that people are coming back to claim their land, and people want to buy land here in Norwood from the HAJ. That is what peace does,” stated Holness.

He was speaking during a recent land titling ceremony held at Norwood Apostolic Lighthouse Church where HAJ handed over 70 titles to residents who have occupied land in the community for years.

Holness used the occasion to contrast the peaceful community of today to what Norwood and a number of others across the country were like in earlier years.

“I offer you to consider this. In 2016/2017 thereabouts, we estimated that there were about 20 communities that were essentially in an internecine war, gang wars, where murders were increasing each year-on-year. I ask you to think of one community now where this is the case,” he challenged.

He reminded guests that in 2017, 2018, and 2019 gang wars and increasing murder figures plagued sections of Westmoreland, St James, and Kingston and St Andrew.

“We put in place zones of special operations (ZOSOs) that intervened in the situation in Westmoreland… Look at Westmoreland today. Right here in St James we have two zones of special operations — Mount Salem and here [in Norwood]. Look at the area now,” stated Holness.

“The geographically based, concentrated criminal activity in communities like Norwood and Mount Salem has gone all the way down,” he noted.

Norwood resident Joseph Lloyd was all too happy to speak about the turnaround the community has seen.

“I can assure you that since we have the ZOSO, the crime rate has gone down to zero since 23. We have turned [around] this community, which… used to have a stigma. We have erased the stigma… and now we are living like one big family in our community,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“We say kudos… to Minister [of National Security Dr Horace] Chang and the prime minister for a job well done. The ZOSO is working to make sure we’re safe in this community,” added Lloyd to a round of applause from others who were listening to the interview.

Lloyd noted that trust had been an issue in the past.

“To be frank with you… we were timid, because we think that we don’t know who to trust. But now all individuals, young, old, they see themselves as individuals who trust this Administration,” he explained.

Dr Chang, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, noted that while Norwood still has some issues which are being addressed, there is a good relationship between the police and residents.

“Senior Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels [the officer in charge of St James Police Division] is a strong but professional police officer. I have not heard about any serious complaints about any police abuse or arrogance towards the law-abiding citizens of Norwood,” said the MP.

“My understanding is that they operate with good community relations and we have not had any homicides for a very long time. Keep it that way and you will be able to certainly realise the value of the equity that has been put in the area,” Dr Chang added.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang (right) makes a point to members of the security forces, along with National Water Commission and Jamaica Social Investment Fund representatives during a tour of Norwood in June 2021, the year a Zone of Special Operations was established there.