Spanish Town community still on edge despite SOE

The increased presence of members of the security forces has done little to quell the fears of residents in Spanish Town, St Catherine, especially for those living in Stephenson's 31, a gritty and underdeveloped section of the old capital.

According to a senior citizen who has been living in the community for several years, the gnawing sounds of gunshots have forced her to amend her daily routines.

"Even when mi deh a church wi affi a listen out same way because we don't know when dem ago flare up back," the 73-year-old said. And while acknowledging the presence of the security forces, the former domestic worker believes that it will take more than human intervention to stop the bloodbath in her parish.

"Mi no know if the police can do anything else, nor the Government, a just God himself. Wi inna fear because we don't know a from which side it ago come. We just a pray to Father God for protection," she added.

She also said that the violence has affected attendance at her Apostolic Faith Church of God located on William's Lane.

"Di members dem fraid fi come a church, even those who live inna di community. We no have night service anymore. Di place is just lonely," she said.

In recent weeks, Stephenson's 31 has been the scene of several bizarre shooting incidents as a bitter war allegedly taking place between members of the One Order gang unfolds.

The news team also observed a number of abandoned premises as several persons have made a mad dash from the violence which reached its apex in the first week of June.

"People just decide fi cut. A lady next door say she cyah stay because she fear for her life. From dem kill the man a the entrance of the lane she leave. If yuh walk along the lane you will see a lot of empty houses," said a man who asked for his identity to kept private. But in addition to abandoned houses, the news team observed at least one property with its zinc fence perimeter riddled with bullet holes, which, according to one shopkeeper, was the scene of a recent shootout.

She said that since the beginning of May, her business has suffered a 100 per cent drop in sales, which is now forcing her to consider closing down permanently.

"Mi only mek $2,835 since the month start because of the violence wah tek place. It no mek no sense me continue because nobody nah walk road fi buy anything. By 4 o'clock the road get scanty," she said.

As a measure to stop the flow of violence permeating the parish, the Government on Sunday declared a state of public emergency in St Catherine.