RESIDENTS of the often volatile Corporate Area community of Riverton Meadows are celebrating a sharp decline in violent crime in recent months, with the newfound peace allowing the recent staging of a six-day football competition there.

Dubbed ‘Freezing Summer’ the football competition brought residents together in a symbol of continued peace, unity, and hope for Riverton City, renamed Riverton Meadows 17 years ago.

The community, which has been plagued by crime and violence in past years, has been showing signs of a turnaround recording only one murder in the last nine months.

Organisers of the football competition told the Jamaica Observer that it would not have been possible without the current calm.

“For years… Riverton was like a ghost town. By six, seven o’clock [in the evenings], persons were hurrying to come off the road. Businesses were closed by a certain time… People having to leave the space and losing homes and even lives. So we had a problem with borderlines being drawn [and] there wasn’t much free movement. Now that the violence has ended, this [tournament] was basically the tool used to bring the unity, and a level of togetherness inside of the space,” said Mario Wallace, co-organiser of the football event.

Speaking at the final of Freezing Summer on Sunday night, Wallace said he credits the St Andrew South Police Division with driving down the level of crime in the community.

MANDERSON… the reduction in crime in Riverton reflects both the strategic efforts of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and strong collaboration with forward-thinking residents

“They have been instrumental in making this possible, and right now they are looking at how they can work with even the community in forming what we consider a police youth club… We’re also looking at how we can strengthen the relationship with the Social Development Commission so competitions like this can be better organised and better supported by corporate,” added Wallace.

He pointed out that the return of peace in the community is also fuelling economic growth, with residents once again obtaining permits to host parties and community events.

Kevon Clark, the main organiser of Freezing Summer, noted that welcoming 20 teams from communities as far as Spanish Town, St Catherine, underscored the tournament’s positive impact on residents and youth.

“Definitely this has displayed a lot of peace because even before this competition there were rumours going around that there might have been a war brewing in some neighbouring communities that could have affected the entire area, and some people were worried. So this brings back a whole coordination to everybody, so that everybody can have a little understanding with each other,” said Clark.

“It has embraced peace, love, and happiness. As you can see, the crowd is here and… not leaving. Even last week when the tournament started, it rained hard, and the crowd was still there. And they’re right beside each other, talking about the competition and how it has allowed them to feel good towards each other,” added Clark.

Long-time Riverton resident Evadnie was overjoyed by the show of peace and unity in her community on Sunday.

“To see the young youth them just come out, it is not just an event, is a get-together for the whole community. No war, we can walk in peace, everybody can play together. Shanty Town, Crime Town, Calaloo Bed, everybody can get together and we can live as one in the community,” said Evadnie as she noted that two years ago people were living in fear in Riverton.

Meanwhile, head of the St Andrew South Police Division Senior Superintendent Damian Manderson told the Observer that the reduction in crime in Riverton reflects both the strategic efforts of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and strong collaboration with forward-thinking residents.

He argued that the football tournament served as a powerful testament to the newfound bond between law enforcement officials and the Riverton City community.

“We have forged partnerships with business operators — many of whom still live and reside in that community — and also increased our engagement with the young people, the youth. It’s out of that and the hosting of several meetings, engaging in community talks and sharing… the vision of zero crime, the benefits of having no crime, that would have managed to move from a curfew-type environment to where they are granted permits for events,” said Manderson, even as he noted that the police still have work to do in the community.

“Other challenges that we have faced over time — which we are slowly but surely working on — is the trust factor, for the residents to trust the police and vice versa. Building a partnership, it takes time to do that, it takes time to win the confidence of the community, to let them appreciate that we are here with you, and we are here to stay forever,” added Manderson.