No mercy for those who endanger our students, says Dr Chang

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang says criminals who endanger the lives of students can expect a forceful response, as the Government will not allow them to create mayhem without forcefully pushing back.

Chang was part of a team from his ministry, which recently visited the Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland, where a 16-year-old student was shot and killed by gunmen in proximity to the school. A 15-year-old female, who was in the company of the boy, was also shot but survived her injuries.

Chang told the Jamaica Information Service that the visit to the school was to reassure administrators, students, as well as law-abiding residents in the community that a zero-tolerance approach will be taken against criminals who target or endanger students.

"We are going to pursue the perpetrator relentlessly... whether he is young or old. We're going to find that person and we're going to remove him from the community," said Chang.

Education Minister Fayval Williams, who was a part of the touring team, said she wanted students, teachers, other staff, and parents to know they are not on their own in the face of the danger caused my marauding gangsters operating in their community.

"We are all in this together... and we are going to get this right," said Williams. "We do have things in terms of providing guidance and counselling for children who have issues. We also have to ensure and provide the necessary resources to our guidance counsellors for them to engage and identify issues before they escalate, and provide probable solutions."

Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake, who represented the police on the tour, vowed to protect the nation's students by ensuring that they are safe inside and outside school corridors.

"Let me assure you that you will not be taking this journey on your own. We will be doing everything in our power to remove those [who pose a threat to you]. You are the future; do not be dragged into crime. Stay away from crime."

The Grange Hill community has been a hotbed of gang violence over recent months with a turf war between the notorious King Valley gang and the Ants Posse gang.