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THUGS 'RUN' RURAL TOWN

One of the semi-blocked roads in Compound, a community in Falmouth. - leighton williams

AN ONGOING GANG feud in Falmouth has caused residents of one area to partially block the streets in their community to reduce the risk of drive-by shootings.

According to residents, the gang from Hillside and Race Course are the aggressors in the ongoing feud. The current feud is reportedly between the communities of Race Course, Hillside, Compound and Dump. Residents say Compound and Dump are allies in the year long conflict while Hillside and Race Course have joined together.

It is reported that the gang from operating in Hillside and Race Course is involved in the attempted extortion of several businesses as well as taxi operators in the town. Although there has been a lull in the conflict in recent weeks, residents say it has transformed the quiet town into a battleground.

Haffi block

"We haffi block it because di police tell we seh dem nuh have di resources fi patrol roun' here all day. We nuh block it full cause we want people fi come an' go and people have dem business in here and goods truck come drop off goods. But, we know seh if dem try a drive-by we can at least tek cover because it go hard fi dem aim fi shoot we," said a resident of Compound.

The residents said in the last few weeks, the Hillside gang has attempted to extort food and money from businesses nearby.

They said on Sunday a shop was firebombed after the owner reportedly went to the police station to complain about the men who were said to be demanding food or money.

THE STAR understands that the business owner has since closed his operation in fear. The business owners with whom THE STAR spoke were tight lipped about the attempts at extortion.

In addition, the thugs were said to be demanding $500 from taxi operators who operated between the town centre and Falmouth Gardens. Hillside and Race Course are communities adjoining Falmouth Gardens.

The Police have made arrests in the feud which the residents say is responsible for the recent lull.

"Bway yuh waan si dem (Hillside) seh di war nah done until dem kill back one more man fi wi. Dem seh dem nuh waan hear nutten bout peace until dat happen. But di man wha dem waan kill nuh deh yah because police arres him when dem raid roun' here di other day," said a resident of Compound.

The residents told THE STAR that the feud started after a youth from Dump was killed by men from Hillside more than a year ago. Residents said the killing has resulted in Compound siding with Dump in the conflict.

Residents said so serious is the conflict that neither side ventures too far away from their home. They add that a woman from Compound who went to live in Race Course had her house fire bombed last Sunday a day after she reportedly buried her son who was killed in the conflict.

Residents from Hillside however said while they have been the aggressors in the conflict , only a few of the men were involved. They said it was mostly young men between 15-25 who were involved in the conflict. They add that although they wanted peace the gang members were determined to get their revenge.

Checks by THE STAR revealed that the police have made a series of arrests over the past few months. But, THE STAR was unable to find out if anyone has been arrested in connection with the recent incidents.