BY FABIAN LEDGISTER, Staff Reporter
The ten weapons that were recovered from pre-teen and teen boys from Melrose Primary and Junior High School. The boys, who were intercepted by police along Lyndhurst road were allegedly on their way to John Mills Primary and Junior High School to engage in a potentially deadly conflict with students from that school. - CARLINGTON WILMOT
A DEADLY ENCOUNTER between two warring factions of Primary school students was averted by quick action from police and principals yesterday.
Police intercepted an armed group of students along Lyndhurst Road, heading toward John Mills Primary and Junior High school.
"Di John Mills bway dem seh dem come pon fi wi enz fi mash wi up, an seh if we bad wi fi come pon fi dem enz fi di war, suh wi go," explained a bold 11-year-old youth.
The twelve boys that were taken into custody near John Mills Primary, were all from Melrose Primary and Junior High. Four cutlasses, five knives, and a pair of scissors were recovered from the juveniles, aged 11 to 15 years.
Apparently, the feud has been going on for over four years, usually surfacing during sporting events between the schools. However, this time a girl was the root of this latest feud.
OFFENCE
According to sources, a student from Melrose Primary saw the girlfriend of a student from John Mills Primary on a bus last week, and said to her, "Yu can do better than da ugly bway deh."
The boy from John Mills Primary took offence to this, and on Monday a group of students alleged to be from that school came on the Melrose school grounds to exact revenge for the insult.
"My students identified the boys that came on the compound yesterday (Monday) as John Mills students. They were not hurt because they out-ran their aggressors," said Jennifer Lee, the principal of Melrose Primary.
In a bid to retaliate, the boys from Melrose Primary plotted a deadly attack on the students from John Mills Primary, arming themselves with a host of cutlasses and knives.
"Information was received of the plot, and officers from the Anti-Crime Task Force and myself intercepted the boys along Lindhurst road acting rowdy. Some escaped, but the 12 that were caught were searched and 9 weapons were found," explained Detective Sergeant Quincy Sterling, the sub-officer in charge of crime at the Crossroads Police Station.
The deadly plot was discovered when one of the boys was held at school, for disciplinary measures. A search of his bag revealed a kitchen knife. The boy eventually revealed the plot, in which he should have been involved.
"We averted a possible disaster by contacting the other school and police. The two principals worked together to avoid this disaster, and will continue to work together to ensure peace between the schools," said Lee.
The boys were held for about three hours at the Crossroads Police Station, and subsequently released into the custody of their parents and teachers.
Though some parents became irate after waiting for their children, most were glad that the police were able to stop them.
"Is somess lick da buay deh a guh get cause mi nah raise nuh bad man fi guh mek man come kill wi off sake a him," mentioned an irate father of one of the boys.
Police and teachers agreed that the problem lies within the social structure of home and community.
"This is caused by the negative social structure that prevails in society. Many of our students come from garrison communities and their behaviour is a reflection of the sub-culture within their areas," reasoned Rohan Trevelen, the guidance counsellor for Melrose Primary and Junior High school.
Efforts to contact the principal for John Mills High proved futile up to press time.
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