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Paulwell appeals for calm, more resources to end violence in East Kingston

Published:Wednesday | September 5, 2018 | 11:43 AM
Phillip Paulwell - File photo

Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell is calling for the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of National Security to urgently provide additional resources to the East Kingston Police to deal with the spate of shootings in the area.

Sections of Rockfort and the communities of Jarrett Lane and Brown’s Town have been affected by the most recent incidents.

Paulwell said it is clear from his observations that the police are being hampered by inadequate manpower, equipment, and other operational resources as they seek to combat the perpetrators of violence, apprehend the criminals responsible for the mayhem and reassure residents of the affected communities.

He has condemned the ongoing shootings and is appealing to persons involved to seek legal, non-violent methods such as mediation and restorative justice to resolve their differences and to allow peace and calm to return to the area.

“The perpetrators of gun violence should recognise that fighting, shooting and killing each other do not provide sustainable solutions to disagreements between members of different communities which appear to be at the heart of the violence,” Paulwell said in a statement.

“The ongoing loss of lives and injury to persons cannot be allowed to continue whether or not they are combatants or law-abiding citizens,” he added.

The MP emphasised that innocent persons, including children returning to school, are in danger of being seriously injured or killed as a result of the violence.

“It is sad, regrettable, appalling and inexcusable that the education of our children and the daily routines of persons going about their lawful business are being disrupted in this way,” Paulwell said.

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