By John Myers Jr., Staff ReporterHEAD OF the Kingston Western Police Division, Superintendent Harry Daley, says that the rise in criminal activities in the Arnett Gardens community in the last couple of weeks is being fuelled by influential persons, including political activists.
Superintendent Daley disclosed that, in the past three-four weeks, there were four killings in the Arnett Gardens community caused by gangs fighting for turf. He said the "turf battle" is being instigated by influential people from the area.
"Influential in the sense that some are businessmen (and) some are considered to be political activists," Supt. Daley explained.
He added that "the main players, the instigators right now are people who either at one time had control of Arnett Gardens in a 'donship' position, or others of influence, who (are) even associated with security companies and who are really ambitious of getting control."
ASSOCIATES
Supt. Daley further explained that the present fighting is linked, in part, to the killing of William "Willy Haggart" Moore and the shooting of George Phang, both considered "area dons". He has pinpointed associates of both men as being responsible for carrying out the criminal acts against each other.
Haggart was killed on April 18, 2001 by gunmen. He was killed along with two other prominent persons from Arnett Gardens. There have been rumours that the shooting of Phang on March 13 in Arnett Gardens was an act of reprisal. Phang was shot 17 times, while playing dominoes in Jones Town. He was admitted in hospital for several weeks and is said to be now recuperating from his injuries out of hospital.
Supt. Daley said in the past five weeks, he and his team has arrested 10 suspects in relation to various crimes in the area, including murder, and has recovered five firearms through its intensified crime measures.
IDENTIFIED
The main trouble areas in Arnett Gardens have been identified as; Lincoln Avenue, close to Rousseau Road, Cross Roads area, which is controlled by the 'Black Roses Crew' and Havana in Arnett Gardens. In the Havana area, Supt. Daley said the violence is being spearheaded by a "don" who was recently deported. He said information suggests that guns are being issued and orders are given by this "don."
A heavy detachment of police personnel are now patrolling the affected communities.
"What we will be doing in the process of the next couple of days is to secure warrants for search and arrest and, if it is necessary, we will do some cordon and searches," Supt. Daley said.
