NO SURRENDER

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the security forces will not surrender the Denham Town community in west Kingston to criminals, amid an increase in confrontations between lawmen and residents in recent days.

“Let me make it clear to whichever intelligence is operating behind criminality that the Government of Jamaica will not pull down the zone of special operations in Denham Town to give space to criminals,” Holness asserted on Friday during the handover of a social housing unit in August Town, St Andrew.

“So, if there is anyone who is deliberately trying to plan, coordinate, stoke [confrontations], that will not work. We’re not going to allow criminals to dictate our security response.”

His comments come against the backdrop of two widely circulated videos that show soldiers assigned to the zones of special operations (ZOSO) within the community in apparent stand-offs with residents.

In one instance, a man and woman who were recorded challenging the authority of the security forces were repeatedly assaulted by a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) member with a rifle before being detained and whisked away in a JDF vehicle.

In the second video, a woman, who is said to be pregnant, was captured confronting the lawmen before being pushed and kicked at by one of the soldiers.

Holness said the confrontation between residents and the security forces had become an emerging trend in Denham Town and argued that at some point, the challenges that perpetuate within the community “must stop”.

He said a general review of ZOSOs has revealed that, largely, they have been successful in reducing crime within communities and have allowed residents to live comfortably.

Additionally, he said that the security forces have been deployed in troubled inner-city communities, often plagued by intra-gang violence, as peacekeepers.

The prime minister noted, however, that the security forces have had challenges with Denham Town for a long time, though reiterating that he would not discontinue the use of ZOSO in the community.

SAD EVENTS

“It is really sad what is happening there. It is obvious that there are attempts to challenge the security forces and the security forces in their response and in their conduct sometimes would have gone over and beyond what is expected of them in the use of force on our citizens,” Holness said, adding that he is slated to visit the community within the coming weeks.

At the same time, he insisted that the Government would never empower the security forces to abuse citizens.

“I think everyone who wears a uniform and is under oath to serve and protect must understand that directive of the Government… . Citizens also have a duty and a responsibility and too often we have seen where police officers and military personnel as well are conducting their lawful duties and there have been high levels of unreasonable resistance [and] unnecessary confrontation which lead to conflict,” said the prime minister.

“It means that the Government must take a long-term approach to it, which is what the zones of special operations are. They’re a long-term peace intervention. That we’re not seeing the peace coming through as we would like in Denham Town is not an excuse to withdraw but to intensify our intention to put in place the necessary leadership and resources to give that safety, security and peace guaranteed to those Jamaican citizens who reside in Denham Town,” he added.

Yesterday, human rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) said it was “deeply troubled” by the videos.

“Regardless of the situation, there are rules of engagement that agents of the state are required to abide by when dealing with citizens,” it said in a release.

“While members of the security forces must be able to defend themselves if their lives are threatened, proportionality must always be considered and efforts made by said state agents to de-escalate tense situations,” JFJ added.

The Independent Commission of Investigations is looking into the incidents.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com