Witness refuses to bow in fear

For almost two years, Corporate Area Resident Mark Brown* has been constantly looking over his shoulder. He claims to have witnessed a murder, and his determination not to be silenced has put him in the crosshairs of the men who carried out the act.

Brown said in 2019, he saw a group of men he knew committed a murder. He stated that he did not immediately report it to the police. Instead, he said that he went home but a few days later, he realised that he was being trailed by the men as he travelled to work.

"Mi recognised the car because I know the men and it was the same vehicle they drove away in after they committed the crime. Since that is like a bare intimidation ting. When mi realise what a gwane, mi start give out sound and ask why dem waah kill mi and mi nuh do nutten. One night dem run mi down and mi start all fraid to stay a mi yaad," he said.

The man said he later gave the police a statement about the murder and the threats. He then equipped his home with security systems but that did very little to deter the criminals.

Get a call from a strange number

"Mi get a call from a strange number one day and is a man dat on the phone a ask mi if mi nuh like mi children dem cause if mi nuh keep quiet, dem a go make mi kids disappear," he said.

Brown said one of the men was eventually detained by the police but was later released. He said that his life and the lives of his children are in danger as the perpetrators have been terrorising him. He is, however, adamant that he would not be silenced.

"I know I may die soon but I want the police and my family to know exactly who my murderers are and nuh hesitate to find dem. I refuse to leave my home because I would not allow criminals to control my life and silence me. I am willing to go to court to testify against them because we have to make an example out of these murders," he said.

Brown told THE STAR that he is hoping that his story would highlight the way criminals use fear and force to drive people into submission. He said that while the police are doing their best to fight crime, they are hampered because many civilians are afraid to speak out.

"I know some people are going to say I am foolish but I will not allow badman to control mi life. We have to speak up, mi nuh care if people wah say mi a informer. Yes, mi fraid but mi naah go run and hide."

* Name changed to protect identity.