FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Following a heated verbal clash between supporters of the two main political parties in Trelawny Southern on nomination day, head of the Trelawny Police Division Superintendent Velonique Campbell has appealed for help from the constituency’s justices of the peace to lower the ‘temperature’ on the campaign trail.

“I know we probably have justices here from South Trelawny. Please be that voice of reason… and ensure that you appeal to the residents to ensure that we don’t have any physical confrontation throughout this process,” she appealed.

She was speaking during Thursday’s second annual general meeting of the Trelawny Justices of the Peace Association held at the Abundant Life Ministry Church in Bounty Hall. Her comments referenced an incident in Lowe River where a bus blocked a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) motorcade, sparking the trading of barbs with rival supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) before the police intervened and defused the tension.

“On nomination day, I recognised that we are in somewhat of troubled waters in the parish, especially in South Trelawny. I am concerned with what I witnessed in South Trelawny… If we are not careful, tensions can escalate into physical confrontation. Jamaica, as a country, we have moved past certain things and we ought not to let the country regress to those type of behaviours,” Campbell warned.

“Remember, after September 3, we all have to live together. We all have to live together, no matter who win, no matter who lose, right? So just appeal to them to be calm and let peace reign during this time,” the senior cop added.

She noted that the police are actively planning for a safe and smooth election, coordinating with the Electoral Office of Jamaica and the Jamaica Defence Force ahead of the September 3 polls.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of Thursday’s meeting, Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles, who said he was unaware of the nomination day skirmish, also spoke out against a return to less orderly political campaigns. He expressed pride in Jamaica’s peaceful elections over the past 20 years, calling the country a model in the Americas.

“I think we are one of the best countries in the Western Hemisphere when it comes to conducting our elections peacefully,” Gentles told the Observer.

Superintendent Campbell also used Thursday’s event to urge justices of the peace to remain vigilant following the capture of prison escapees who burgled two properties in one Trelawny community.

“The jail break was in Constant Spring, and they found themselves in Carey Park. And the house that they were found [in], they broke into that house and another house. So that is why we are at 75 break-ins today. They came in the parish and gave us two crimes already,” she said.

“But I must commend the police officers who responded quickly and brought them into the station at Falmouth. So this is an eye-opener, ladies and gentlemen… The parish is not immune to itinerant criminals and serious criminals from elsewhere,” she added.

All nine prisoners who escaped are back behind bars.

Custos of Trelawny, Hugh Gentles speaking during Thursday’s second annual general meeting of the Trelawny Justices of the Peace Association. (Horace Hines)

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A large crowd of People’s National Party supporters in Albert Hall, Trelwany on nomination day 

A sea of Jamaica Labour Party supporters in Albert Town Square, Trelawny, on nomination day. (Photos: Horace Hines)