Michelle-Ann Letman, Gleaner Writer

This resident, known as Sammy (right) of Boat-Tie-Land, expresses his frustration to Godfrey Lothian (left), president of the Kingston and St Andrew Action Forum, about the guns, killings and the separation of communities as he fears for his children, during a peace march in the areas of Greenwhich Town, Whitfield Town, Boat-Tie-Land, Rose Town, Metcalf Road and Maxfield Avenue last July. - File

Concerned by the steady increase in the number of murders committed since the start of the year, a group of civilians from various inner-city communities have united to form the Kingston and St Andrew Action Forum (KSAAF).

More than 400 persons have been killed violently at the hands of criminals since the start of the year.

On April 7 the group launched their "Get the Guns off the Streets" campaign as a part of an action plan to tackle crime and violence in the various inner-city communities.

Godfrey Lothian, president of the KSAAF identified the communities of Greenwich Town, August Town, Franklyn Town and central Kingston as hot spots for crime and violence.

More than 50 inner-city communities, across the Kingston Metropolitan Area are a part of the "Get the Guns off the Streets" campaign.

Main weapon

Guns are still the main weapon used in murders, followed by knives and machetes.

All major crimes, murder, shooting, rape, and robbery have increased over the period January 1, 2008 to April 6, 2008, compared with the same period last year.

In an interview with The Gleaner, Lothian admitted that the KSAAF has taken on an "ambitious programme", but, he maintained "something has to be done".

The KSAAF president made reference to the killing of a man at a British Link-up dance held at the La Roose nightclub in Portmore last month, in which a legal firearm holder was involved.

Lothian told The Gleaner that he is pleased with the action being taken by the security forces as it relates to the investigations into some cases where unsuitable persons were granted permit to hold legal firearms.

"We need to rid the streets of all guns", he said. "We should have meaningful information to report to the public after 100 days into our campaign, they should see some results", he said.