News

Tension increases in Jones Town

By KAVELLE ANGLIN-CHRISTIE, Staff Reporter

WHILE MANY MAY be against a curfew, the residents of Jones Town see it as their only hope.

They say they still live in fear because after only two days, the curfew put in place for their area was lifted Monday morning.

Police say the war, which is gang-related, started last April and has continued with brief periods of peace.

Three women standing at the entrance of the community, at first said they were not affected by the violence in the area, because it didn't occur on their street. However, after a few questions, and quick glances around, they finally admitted that they lived in fear.

"We fraid round here more time; but as we say, talk to the people them up there so," said one.

At another corner, sat a middle-age woman holding a young child while chatting with an old woman standing next to her.

The woman, Karen, said she had lived in the area for many years and the gang war, which resulted in a curfew, only caused those living in the community to suffer in more ways than one.

"I have grown children who work out and couldn't go because they couldn't make regular trips out of the community."

Police presence

She, however, said the presence of the police made life easier for them. "When the police is around, we get a little rest, but apart from that, we cant sleep. Like right now, the area is tense again because they are not really around."

Another resident, who declined to give his name, said during the war, he and his family were unable to sleep at nights not only because of the gun shots, but because they were afraid.

"The shots would start at - say, about 11 p.m., and continue until about four in the mornings, so we wouldn't get any sleep," he said.

"Now I have gunshot marks on my door and walls, and the other day I took up a spent shell out of my garbage pan."

He said those who are most affected by the violence are the children, "This is no place to raise a child. Some of them vomit, and some are afraid to go outside. The children here are constantly having to deal with things like this which should not be," he said.

According to Sergeant Delroy Foster, of the Trench Town police, the police are still patrolling the area, though the curfew has been lifted.

"There are four sets of policemen in the troubled spots and we are maintaining a presence in the mean time. We are basically here to ensure that the gangs do not get out of control again." He said they also carry out searches.