Cash Thursdays powering peace in Jacques Road

Years ago, it was not unusual to see police bulletins advising persons travelling along Mountain View Avenue in the Corporate Area due to the flare-up of violence. At that time, life in Jacques Road, a tough inner-city community in St Andrew South East, was characterised by either a tense calm or sporadic warfare. A lot, however, has changed in recent times.

In fact, the growth of a young palm tree from a well-manicured grass sign -- at a section of the community -- that spells the word 'peace' tells the story of a new day dawning in Jacques Road. A section of the road is smoothly paved, and work is in progress on a football field.

This new direction, though, is one that has come about as a result of guided leadership from influential community members. Children are not allowed to roam the streets during school hours, domestic violence is frowned upon, and crime in general is forbidden.

"We don't impose rules on the residents," an influential community member told THE STAR.

"We get them to understand that whatever we stand for, they are going to benefit from it. If we say we don't want any robbery, then they know that when we say that, it will benefit them," he said.

"By us saying that during school time no children should be on the road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and to get them into solidarity with those things, we let them know that the poverty and other things that exist in Jacques Road, the only way out is through education," he added.

"There should be no rape, and we don't even have not even one teenage pregnancy 'round here, because that is like a sin for us."

"If two females get in an argument, we encourage them to come to us let us resolve it, because we don't want the fighting and stabbing. We will never glorify another community's failure, but what we do is use them as example. We let them know that no matter how busy we are, if there is a difference between you and your neighbour, come to us," he said.

Not surprisingly, entertainment has been a key factor in the creation of the new Jacques Road. Hundreds of persons flock to the community weekly to attend the popular free party, Cash Thursdays. The event, which was started approximately three and a half years ago, has attracted a number of high-ranking dancehall artistes, including Popcaan, Skillibeng and Bounty Killer.

One of the community's prominent figure said Cash Thursdays is critical for the community's development.

"We have always been doing things in the community that make us self-reliant. We always keep party over the years. Before Cash Thursdays, we kept East Kingston Jamboree, and so on. Everyone benefits from Cash Thursdays, the vendors and other small businesses. No one will do anything to jeopardise their hustle, so peace is the order of the day," he said.

The resident said he and others are trying to break down the stigma that is attached to Jacques Road, which was once crippled with violent activities.

"There are times when persons will feel apprehensive to come around this side because of the stigma attached to the community, but after they pass that hurdle and see what we and the community have to offer, they always feel comfortable," he said. "Everything that we stand for is within the law, so with an environment like this, everyone can be safe coming to Cash Thursdays. Jacques Road is very safe, to the point where we have plugs on the roadside and people will leave their phones to charge and come back for them," he added.