Only debris is left of the houses set on fire by criminals in Gregory Park.
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Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, Commanding Officer for the St. Catherine South Police Division
The St. Catherine South Police are carrying out operations in Gregory Park, Portmore after rival gangs traded bullets and firebombed houses for six hours Monday night into Tuesday morning.
A resident told Radio Jamaica News that gunshots rang out on the Cottage Drive main road from about 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The caller said residents are fearful and are appealing for sustained presence from the security forces.
The police confirmed that three houses were set on fire.
Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, Commanding Officer for the St. Catherine South Police Division, says residents of Portmore Villa have been under siege from criminals for the last three weeks.
He said despite efforts by the police to quell the violence, gunmen continue to fire sporadically in the Gregory Park community, sometimes even engaging the security forces.
"It is of great concern for us at this time," said SSP Phillips, who noted that the police are "looking to have enhanced security operations in that space".
SSP Phillips said the security forces have identified persons of interest and are carrying out operations in the area to locate them.
Asked whether the police were receiving the help of citizens, he admitted that residents had seemingly "reached the boiling point... and so the cooperation is improving".
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