Jamaica not safe for returning residents - Spokesperson calls for more security

The murder of two returning residents in Portland on the weekend has fuelled lingering thoughts that Jamaica is not a safe place for those who lived and worked almost all their lives overseas and then chose to return home.

The bodies of Florence and Halford Anderson were found last Friday morning, after residents first stumbled on Halford's body near the Mount Pleasant Primary School under a tree.

Florence's body was found in the couple's firebombed home with gunshot wounds to the upper body.

THE STAR understands that the couple, whose marriage spanned over 50 years, recently returned to the island.

Investigators, meanwhile, are still probing the deaths of other returnees in other sections of the island, with charges being filed in some instances.

The murders of returning residents have consistently made international news.

Among them was the murder of Jamaican-Canadian couple Melbourne and Etta Flake, who were found dead in their St Thomas home in January, and the murder of Delroy Walker in St Mary in April.

Percival Latouche, president of the Jamaica Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents, yesterday told our news team that Jamaica lacks security.

He said: "We have no security in this country. We can't get a good answer on what we have as security."

Latouche drew reference to the case involving returning resident Jermaine Junior.

"One year, eight months and 25 days to date, Mr Junior got 12 stabs, two gunshots. He was a returning resident dealing with some business. His wife came and buried him at 3 p.m. and left Jamaica at 4 p.m.," Latouche said.

NO RESPONSE

He told THE STAR that he has written to the commissioner of police and Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, however, he has not received a response.

"Why then is the commissioner travelling to Manchester, England, and telling people to come home because it's safe?" he asked. "July 4, he will be in Toronto, then from there he will be in New York, this big tour while Rome is burning. These types of murder or mayhem cannot be aborted while the commissioner is touring."

He also told our news team that based on his knowledge, a returning resident has been murdered every month since the start of the year.

Latouche said: "I have reports of returnees who have been murdered and is after the funeral I know. I know of an instance where a couple got robbed and they just left the country. They did not even go to the police."