Stony Hill residents stage Christmas peace walk amid rising violence

Residents of Stony Hill, St Andrew, have staged community walk to promote peace amid a spate of violence and killings that they say have dampened the festive spirit as the Christmas holiday season approaches.

“A Christmas time and the feeling is not there,” one resident told The Gleaner. “People are scared, and even despite reassurance from the police, they are not taking any chances. We've seen gunmen kill both the old and the young. This is a war that many of us know nothing about.”

The resident was among participants in the peace walk which was organised by church groups, political representatives, the police, and local citizens. It sought to bring some much-needed relief to the war-torn area.

The walk saw participants engaging with residents along Airy Castle Road and surrounding neighbourhoods in an effort to raise awareness and promote peace.

This year, Stony Hill has been rocked by a spate of murders and shootings, including three killings in just 48 hours.

Among the more recent victims were two teenage boys—14-year-old Jumaane Henry of Oberlin High School and 16-year-old Niquan Whitely, formerly of Meadowbrook High School—who were shot on December 12 along Airy Castle Road.

Two days later, taxi operator Nkrumah 'Troy' Hylton was killed along Long Bridge, during a curfew.

The once-vibrant community now feels deserted, with many residents opting to stay off the streets as gun violence continues to escalate.

The local Church of God of Prophecy, among other religious organisations, has joined in the effort to bring peace to the community. “We can't stand by and watch the community descend into chaos,” said Valrian Campbell, a representative of the church. “Everyone has a role to play, and we are doing our part. We want the violence to end.”

Stony Hill is in the St Andrew North police division, which has recorded a 20 per cent increase in murders as of December 14, with a total of 66 murders compared to 55 for the same period last year.

Stony Hill remains one of the most troubled areas for police this year due to the rising tide of crime and violence.

- Andre Williams

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