Gun Violence in Jamaica is an Albatross for the Government

Gun Violence in Jamaica is an Albatross for the Government. The strategies it is using to fight crime need to be fixed. This reality is shocking.

When the current Prime Minister was the leader of the Opposition, he promised the people safety and security. He even pledged that people would sleep with their windows and doors open.

After eight years under JLP rule, gun violence is still the biggest problem for the Jamaican people. And the criminals are getting more brazen.

A recent episode of gun violence occurred on Sunday, November 3. Hoodlums shot and killed a man in Gregory Park as a town hall meeting was in progress to tackle crime and violence in the Portmore, St. Catherine community.

The authorities said the brazen shooting unfolded at about 7:30 p.m. on Orion Drive in Watson Grove.

Law enforcement named the deceased Javon Lawrence, o/c ‘Short Boss,’ 28, from Aris Close, Gregory Park in St Catherine.

Mr. Lawrence was attacked about 7:30 p.m. on Orion Drive in Watson Grove.

According to reports, Lawrence took his 6-year-old daughter and twelve-year-old niece to buy ice cream.

While on their way home, a gray Toyota Wish motorcar drove up beside them and stopped. Two armed men reportedly exited the car and opened gunfire, hitting Lawrence in the head and upper body multiple times.

The children reportedly ran from the scene and narrowly escaped being hit by a motor vehicle

Reportedly, Lawrence died at the scene.

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, following the town hall meeting at the nearby Baptist Road, the Commanding Officer for the St. Catherine South Division, Superintendent Michael Campbell, said Gregory Park had recorded 16 murders since January. 

Campbell urged citizens to continue to work with the police to guarantee safe communities. He said the police are focus on saving lives.

Man Arrested for Imitation Firearm and Assault in Manchioneal

Gun Violence in Jamaica is an Albatross for the Government and the people, including the business community. On Saturday, November 2, the Portland Police charged a suspect who attempted to flee police custody after finding an imitation gun buried in his yard.

Law enforcement named the suspect Winston Ward, o/c ‘Wardie,’ 58, a farmer residing in the Long Road district in Manchioneal.

Detectives charged Ward with possession of an imitation firearm, escaping custody, assaulting a constable, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The Manchioneal police said at about 5:30 p.m., Ward was in custody on assault and gun-related charges.

He reportedly told officers that he wished to surrender the firearm he had used during the earlier incident. And confessed to officers that the weapon was an imitation gun.

Law enforcement later escorted Ward to his yard, where he retrieved the firearm and handed it to the officers. 

But, the police said Ward then pushed one of the officers and attempted to flee the area on foot.

The officers later recaptured Ward and placed him back into custody, where they charged him with extra offenses. 

Ward’s court date is pending pending.