Tivoli residents feel targeted by security forces

Residents of Tivoli Gardens attempted to mount a roadblock yesterday along Spanish Town Road to protest what they consider ill treatment from members of the security forces.

The residents say that on Monday night, security personnel beat several men and fired shots in sections of the community. They say they will not be silenced until the matter is addressed.

Stacy-Ann Harrison said she was "forced" to watch as a group of soldiers beat her son before hauling him out of their home and taking him into Denham Town.

"Mi couldn't defend mi baby. Mi son is not a gunman. Is Excelsior Community College him go. When mi see say dem a take him out ,mi start tell him say I'm coming with him, and dem say, 'Hey big p%$$y! Whe yuh a guh?' Is inna mi house mi pickney deh. Mi can't go sleep unless dem in the house ,and mi have high blood pressure, so mi nuh wah dead," she said.

According to police reports, a team of officers were on duty when they discovered a gathering of about 200 persons at a nine night. When they tried to disperse the crowd, they were fired on by gunmen in Lizard Town. Police returned fire and were later assisted by the military.

Law-abiding citizens

Harrison laments that law-abiding citizens are among those being targeted by the lawmen. She eventually calmed down after talking with Inspector Marcia Blake of the Denham Town Police Station.

"When he gets home from school, take him to the station and make a formal report, and you will be advised further. I understand your situation, and I empathise with you, and you can speak to me personally after this if you think you are not getting anywhere. But please do not block the road and disturb normality. Do your part first formally," Blake advised.

George Edwards, another Tivoli resident, said that on Monday night, policemen and soldiers invaded the abandoned building in which he lives.

"Dem tell mi to come out a di building and mi obey. Some shot start fire elsewhere and dem just start beat mi up and a ask mi whe di gunman dem deh. Dem never use any gun on mi, but dem kick mi and beat mi with dem fist," he said.

Member of Parliament for West Kingston Desmond McKenzie told the media that while he was not about to start questioning the findings of the security forces, complaints that innocent people were taken from their homes and beaten were serious enough to warrant an investigation.

"I have seen signs of that, and since Monday night, I have been in touch with the Police High Command on the matter about the concerns of the residents," McKenzie said.

Superintendent Leighton Gray of the Denham Town Police Station also addressed the residents and implored them to be peaceful as he carried out the relevant investigations.

"I have heard the concerns, and I will be looking to address them, but I am imploring the residents to let peace reign. I will be in dialogue with the military officer and tell him about the concerns that the residents have, and we will make sure that the law takes it course and what needs to be done is done," he said.