Heavy security presence in Tawes Meadows following standoff with residents

By Racquel Porter    

 

A heavy police and military presence has been deployed to Ellerslie Gardens, Spanish Town, St. Catherine following Wednesday morning's standoff with residents during an operation in the community.

 

Residents reportedly threw stones and other missiles at the police.

 

The tyres on four marked police vehicles were also slashed during the disturbance.

 

Senior Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, Commanding Officer for St. Catherine North Police, reported that the police were attacked during an attempt to apprehend a suspect, about 9 o'clock. 

 

"The person who was the intended target managed to escape. He is Roneil Hope, otherwise known as 'Ron'. Now during this incident, the police, with an intention to prevent further damages to the service vehicles as well as to prevent injury to the officers, they had to use less lethal force as well as to fire warning shots. Citizens then blocked several roadways, lit fires to debris along some of the roads leading to Ellerslie Pen," he said. 

 

The police and the Jamaica Fire Brigade cleared the blocked roads, and SSP Nicholson said the police are maintaining a strong presence in the area to restore law and order in Ellerslie Gardens and the surrounding communities. 

 

But a resident who spoke with Radio Jamaica News gave a different account of Wednesday's events.

 

The resident said she was sitting on her verandah assisting her friend with a school project when she saw the police running towards her house. 

 

She claimed she was physically assaulted and the occupants of her house pepper sprayed. 

 

In the meantime, SSP Nicholson said an investigation has been launched after the four police vehicles were damaged by unprovoked residents.

 

He said those responsible for the damage will be held accountable.

 

The Senior Superintendent insisted that the police will use legal and justifiable means to defend themselves and government properties.

 

Meanwhile, the St. Catherine North police are urging several men to report to the police. 

 

They are Roneil 'Ron' Hope, Tashwayne Balford, Jevaughn 'Ballie' White, Kevaughn 'Twin' White, Shamar 'Boysie' Dumair, as well as two men known only as 'Ranger' and 'Presi'.