By Glenroy Sinclair and Rasbert Turner, Gleaner ReportersOLIVIA 'BABSY' Grange, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Central, came under pressure yesterday when residents of the neighbouring South Central St. Catherine constituency accused her of siding with gang members during the recent upsurge of violence in Spanish Town.
Sharon Hay-Webster, of the governing People's National Party (PNP), is MP for the South Central constituency.
The residents, forceful and resolute, spoke openly during a tour of the troubled communities in the 'Old Capital', by members of the Bishop Herro Blair-led Peace Management Initiative (PMI).
A number of persons who converged on the Portmore taxi stand in Spanish Town pointed fingers at Ms. Grange, charging that she was responsible for the violent behaviour of the powerful 'One Order' gang from her constituency.
"I am not a gang member, I cannot speak to the gang," said Ms. Grange in her defence.
She explained that there had been problems with gangs in the past and that a new breed has now arisen and that the issue now is, 'How do the authorities reduce the power of the gangs within inner-city communities'?"
The situation got so tense during the tour that Kingston's Mayor Desmond McKenzie, threatened to abort the event if the residents continued with their charges against Ms. Grange. But after a pep-talk from Paul Burke, former chairman of the PNP's Region Three, and other members of the PMI, Mr. McKenzie agreed to continue the tour.
Residents of Dela Vega City in South Central St. Catherine claimed their community was peaceful and that the problems are within the domain of the One Order gang.
Frustration, anger and hurt gave way to tales of sorrow from the residents. One man said he has lost two sons in less than a year. Another youth said he lost his eldest brother. People from both sides were hurt. They charged that the flare-up will continue unless employment opportunities were created for residents.
The citizens of the affected communities have dismissed reports that the recent upsurge of violence was centred around the fight to control the bus park and taxi stand in Spanish Town, for the purpose of extortion.
One of the reputed dons from the One Order gang who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday said that they have been receiving money from the business sector, but not in the form of extortion.
"Every August we have an annual treat for the children and what we do is write a formal letter to the business people and they give the assistance," he said.
Taxi drivers operating between Portmore and Spanish Town also denied that they pay extortion fees. One spokesperson said they (taxi drivers) are charged $100 per day to use the stand.
