Four arrested as security forces respond to unrest in Spanish Town

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

As agents of the state respond to the violence in Tawes Meadows, St. Catherine with an all out assault on criminal elements, four people have been taken into custody in connection with roadblocks during Wednesday night's violent protest.

 

The unrest was triggered by the fatal shooting of Othneil "Thickman" Lobban, reputed leader of the One Order gang, during a police operation in St. Andrew Wednesday night.

 

Residents are, however, crying foul, reporting a case of police brutality.

 

"Unuh break wi. A one a di best don pass through Spanish Town," said residents who lamented the death of Lobban. 

 

But the police say the flare up reveals the psychological control of gangs, which requires immediate intervention.

 

Describing St. Catherine as the crime capital of Jamaica, Area 5 Police Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips said a multisectoral approach is needed to erode the stronghold that criminal enterprises have carved out in crime prone communities. 

 

"It has to be a collective response. When you talk to some of these persons individually, you know, they are saying officers we are happy for what you are doing. But if you meet them collectively, they give you a different story. That is a negative kind of control on the people. And that's what gangsterism has done to many of these garrison-type communities. It needs further intervention beyond the police," he argued.    

 

He said a sense of normality has been restored to the old capital since the protests and is urging residents to desist from engaging in violent and disruptive actions.

 

But as the police pledge to restore order, Tawes Meadows residents say the authorities have been hostile.

 

In a letter reportedly penned by residents, they said "Tawes Meadows has not had a murder in over four years. Statistically, our community is one of the safer ones. So why are we continually harassed?" 

 

They further said "Young girls in our community are being preyed upon, molested, and lured by soldiers and police. Yet, no alarms are raised about that. Are we expected to accept this because we live in what is labelled as the "ghetto"? This is a plea for help."

 

But a strident, ACP Phillips dismissed the allegations of misconduct, adding that disorder will not be tolerated.

 

He said the police cannot allow criminals to run amock, citing the "disorder" and "disrespect" from residents who damaged four police vehicles on Wednesday when the police attempted to move into the community. 

 

"I've not had any report of any unprofessional conduct by my members. In fact, I believe they exercised great restraint yesterday, and until these people start behaving themselves, we are going to be in these communities. The efforts will be relentless. We are not going to let up, lest we turn this placei into Haiti. it cannot work," he declared.     

 

Due to heightened tensions, court proceedings were postponed, while schools were forced into virtual learning and businesses shuttered.

 

 

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Constabulary Communication Network, warned that the Police High Command intends to target gang leaders responsible for the violence across the country.

 

The operations will be carried out by members of the Joint Anti-Gang Task Force involved in Wednesday night's fatal shooting of the One Order Gang leader.

 

"So there are a number of persons that they have that they are targeting because the investigation over time and intelligence suggest that these are the main drivers of the levels of crime and violence that we see happening across the country," she said.