Mixed reaction as SOE takes effect in St Andrew South Police Division

Days after the declaration of a state of emergency, residents in sections of the St Andrew South Police Division have revealed mixed feelings about the impact the security measure will have on their lives.

The country's security chiefs said that more than 25 gangs of "substantial concern" are operating in the St Andrew South Police Division. The lawmen said that approximately 52 per cent of the 113 murders so far this year are due to gang activities.

Superintendent Damion Manderson, of the St Andrew Police Division, listed Seaview Gardens, Waterhouse, New Haven, Whitfield Town, Cockburn Pen and Greenwich Town as being among the troubled areas.

Up to press time last night, the police had not made any major discoveries or arrest, but Manderson said the SOE will afford lawmen to get closer to community members.

"We want to introduce to the residents the general concept of proximity policing, which is to be close enough to residents to forge a relationship that will see law-abiding citizens and law enforcement coming together to rid the communities of criminal elements," Manderson told THE STAR.

Yesterday, when the news team ventured into sections of the divisions, residents had varying expectations. In Greenwich Town, one woman said she does not expect the security measures to have any major impact. She argued that criminal activities have continued in the community despite it being a zone of special operation since July 2020.

"Police and soldier always set up shop down here, but is like di criminals always deh ahead of them. See the other day a big shoot-out gwane and an old woman dead in the same road whe the checkpoint deh. Only God can help us, SOE cannot!," the woman said.

In Whitfield Town, however, residents echoed a more hopeful tone. One community told THE STAR that he feels much safer since the deployment of soldiers and policemen to the violence-plagued area.

"Mi naah guh say we safe safe, but mi feel a lot better now that the solider and police dem deh here. The bag a killing and gunshot did a shut we down. Mi a pray dem stay here fi di Christmas so we can alright," the resident said.

Another resident, though happy to see the security forces, is concerned that the thugs will return to 'barking' their guns as soon as the security measure is lifted.

"Mi happy and worried at the same time because mi not suh sure if SOE work. Yes, the place quiet now and mi like that. But what a guh happen after the police dem lift up? Everything gonna go back to normal. The man dem a guh out with dem tall up thing again," the resident said.

In addition to the St Andrew South Police Division, SOEs have been declared in St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Catherine and Clarendon. The extreme measure will remain in place for at least two weeks.