MONTEGO BAY, St James — The empty streets in Mount Salem on Saturday painted a grim picture of growing crime in the mixed-use community.

However, People’s National Party (PNP) Caretaker/Member of Parliament candidate Dr Andre Haughton called on the residents to partner with the police to “weed out” those who have been creating mayhem.

“My message to the community is that we need to work with the police and we need to get these [perpetrators] out of Mount Salem. What I have heard is that many of them are not from here so the issue is how we stop these people, who come from all over to create violence in Mount Salem, raise havoc on the people then leave,” Dr Haughton said.

He continued, “Whatever information you have as upstanding citizens, please come forward because this cannot continue.”

Over the last month, murders and the firebombing of houses have influenced many residents to flee the only place they have called home, and seek refuge in other communities. The community was also rocked by a double murder which spiralled into reprisal killings. The Crawford Street section of the community is also believed to be targeted by criminals as eight people, including three children, were left homeless after two houses were firebombed in separate incidents. The latest attack came on Friday afternoon, leaving residents in fear that their homes might be next.

Statistics provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) indicated that 82 murders have been committed in St James up to June 1.

On Saturday, Dr Haughton led a walk-through with members of the JCF as he sought to encourage residents to partner with the security forces in their efforts to bring peace to the doors of Mount Salem. While some residents listened to the message being shared, there was an obvious blanket of fear on the faces of many who briefly spoke off the record to the Jamaica Observer.

The burned-out remains of the two neighbouring houses on Crawford Street sent a loud message, and Dr Haughton told the Sunday Observer that he fears the community is making its way to a point of no return.

“Going through I spoke to a couple of the victims and the [overall feeling] is that they are very distraught with what’s taking place. I met an elder who used to play football for our team and his entire home was firebombed and now he has nowhere to go. An elderly female has died because of the fire-bombing and a lot of the elderly people are expressing a very negative sentiment about what’s taking place in Mount Salem,” the PNP caretaker said.

Mount Salem is also known for its economic value to the city of Montego Bay as it is home to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, the only Type-A health facility in the western part of the island, among other business places.

Dr Haughton pointed out that those acts of violence had been affecting the community, as just last month a businessman was killed. The man’s murder is believed to be linked to gang violence.

“Most of the business places have been affected, so the economics of Mount Salem is now going down the drain. I spoke to a business owner today and he was saying that in his restaurant last night, it was only soldiers and police, and normally it is budding with customers,” said Haughton.

“I have done political walks before and this is the worst I have seen. The people are normally vibrant, but most of the corner shops are closed and people are locked up behind their grilles. No one is playing dominoes or ludo, and each lane would normally have its own vibrant livelihood,” he said.