Hanover councillor : We are experiencing terrorism

WESTERN BUREAU:

With the spate of murders driving fear into the heart of residents, especially at the western end of the parish, one councillor in the Hanover Municipal Corporation is likening the situation to being under a terrorist attack.

Addressing the corporation's Disaster Preparedness Meeting on Wednesday, Councillor for the Lucea division Easton Edwards, who is clearly appalled by the ongoing lawlessness, said he was saddened by the shooting of two senior citizens in Malcolm Heights, Lucea, that very evening.

"The situation in Hanover is bordering on terrorism," said Edwards. "It is sad. I know tomorrow morning I could lose a son because I have brought this matter to the attention of the council, but I cannot help but express my feelings."

Hanover has been a hotbed of violence over the past week. Five persons were murdered over the last three days and statistics are showing that of the 36 persons murdered in the parish since the start of the year, the majority were women, children and senior citizens.

Edwards also made a call for all Hanoverians to wake up and assist the police in whatever way they can and not wait until the crime situation reaches their back door before they decide to act. He said that at present, the killings are already too close for comfort.

NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION

In endorsing Edward's sentiments, Lucea's mayor, Councillor Sheridan Samuels, said the crime situation in the parish needs serious attention, pointing out that the number of persons murdered by the gun in the parish since the start of the year is clearly a disaster.

"I don't think a hurricane will come tomorrow morning and take so many lives, and so we are really concerned," said Samuels. "We want the parish to know, we want the citizens to know, we want our constituents to know that we are really concerned about what is happening."

The mayor also emphasised that he does not want anyone to bash or blame the police because of the situation as they are doing their best under the circumstances and with the limited resources they have.