Residents of a new housing scheme in Denham Town, west Kingston, are being beaten to keep their surroundings clean, THE STAR has learnt.

During a visit to the community recently THE STAR learnt about the development when two residents, Mr Jugs* and Mrs Jasmine, got locked in a heated argument about who should clean the scheme.

"Look how di front a unu place look, a want di man dem come drop some lick pon unu. Di place fi keep clean," Mr Jugs said.

Subsequent checks by THE STAR revealed that residents were sternly warned by thugs from the area to keep the scheme clean or suffer the consequence: a fine beating.

Sticks, iron pipes and a pickaxe sticks are used in the beatings which are said to cause swellings, bruises and, in at least two cases, broken bones.

The order was imposed some months ago after the scheme was opened and there has been numerous cases where persons has paid the price for being dirty.

feel it

"Yu have some people weh jus dutty eno and dem feel like dem fi dash anything through them window or in front a dem door. But wi deh ya fi dem 'cause dem a go feel it 'cause some a dem feel it already," said one of the thugs who help to enforce the rule.

According to him, the persons who have been disciplined already serve as good examples for others not to follow.

"About a month and odd now since nobody nuh get beating still. Di last time is a likkle man we did haffi sort out 'cause him a move nasty. When yu look behind him window dem pure juice box and bottle and condom and all sort of rubbish. Plus, a whole heap a warning him did get," he added.

Efforts to speak with that man were unsuccessful as he was said to have been at work.

When THE STAR contacted the Denham Town police they said that there were no reports of such a scenario but they did not rule out that it was happening.

"Those people have their own ways of governing their community and it's likely they would not report that to us," a corporal said when THE STAR contacted the station yesterday.

Meanwhile, residents are embracing the rule and when contacted one peron said that nothing is wrong with working to keeping a clean and healthy environment.

"Not a ting nuh wrong, as long as dem nuh beat dem fi mash dem up too bad. It help more than anything else 'cause a we it a benefit," said Ruel Valentine.

*Names changed upon request.