SUPERINTENDENT in charge of the Kingston Eastern police division, Tommilee Chambers, is moving to assure residents of some sections of Franklyn Town, who have grown frustrated over road blocks mounted by people believed to be thugs, that the cops are going to clear the roadways.

In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Chambers said that, “We are waiting on the frontend loaders to assist us. We requested those from specialised operations so as soon as we get them, then it will be cleared”.

Chambers did not say what timeline was given to her by specialised operations, for the equipment to be available.

In the meantime, residents continue to accuse the police of taking too long to remove the roadblocks, some of which were mounted as far back as November last year.

The residents have alleged that following a drive-by shooting, criminal elements used that as an excuse to block the roads. According to some residents, the roadblocks were geared less towards preventing drive-by shootings, but to create a cover for gunmen to walk about freely.

A male resident, who requested anonymity, told the Observer that he felt the police have been turning a blind eye to the situation and have shown little interest to deal with the problem.

Last Friday, the Observer obtained photographs of at least two roadblocks in the community. One is located near the intersection of Wellington Street and Sommerset Avenue and another was seen close to the York Street and Cumberland Avenue intersection.

“We are very very upset about the roadblocks by thugs. They blocked the road from November and are adamant that them nah pull it and every time something pops up they say they are going to block more of it. The police go to them begging them to remove the road block and dem seh dem nah pull it. Everyday the police dem just a drive around without any attempt to remove it,” claimed the resident.

“What happened the other day was there was a guy whose mother was sick and when she was to go to hospital, di road block up. Her son had to push her in a wheelchair because no taxi man can’t get access. No bus no come inna Franklyn Town again so di robot taxi dem a run things. It was a route for the robot taxis but they have to divert now to Victoria Street. Them can’t come pon Wellington Street,” he added.

With a new police station opened in the community in March, another resident implored the leadership of the division o ensure that they have more than enough personnel at the location to prevent activities such as roadblocks that facilitate gangsters who wish to parade the community with their illegal firearms. She said the police should not be yielding to the criminals.

“Di man dem a seh with the roadblocks, nobody can’t come shoot up the place. But the police have a new and bigger police station and they are turning a blind eye to the roadblocks. The thugs like the roadblocks because they can have their guns on them. It is easier because dem can see di police from far. It has to be addressed. People have it to say that the police is weak. How police fi a negotiate with man fi move roadblock?”

Another female resident charged that it gives people the impression that the police

are afraid to remove the roadblocks since they have failed to do so since late last year.

“There are roadblocks on Wellington and York Streets, Cumberland and Somerset Avenues. It is nothing but a cover for men to walk up and down with guns. They don’t want to remove the roadblocks as if they are assisting the thugs. People will be driving through the community and they are stopping them and ticketing them for seat belts and you not telling the thugs to remove the road blocks,” the resident charged.