Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

The zinc fences of Canaan Heights overlook the fast-developing town of May Pen in Clarendon. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

AN INFLUX of social intervention programmes is needed to counter the swelling murder rate of the central Jamaica parish, Clarendon, stake-holders say.

Clarendon, synonymous with bauxite, has in recent times become notorious for violent crime. Fifty-one murders have been committed there since January, 20 more than the corresponding period last year.

The parish, located on the island's southern belt, has recorded some of the most brutal murders stemming from gang warfare, reprisals and drug running, among other factors.

External input needed

Robert Ellis, pastor of the Pentecostal Cathedral sited in Canaan Heights, says there is little help from outside.

"I definitely don't think that enough attention is paid to these communities. We don't have any external input in the community. There are churches and a few youth clubs, but without the external input, it is difficult to impact."

The Canaan Heights community, which overlooks the burgeoning parish capital, May Pen, is a whole different world compared to its more illustrious neighbour. Dirt tracks and board shacks riddle the area which is cobwebbed with illegal electricity connections and a haphazard water supply system.

Widespread malaise

Other marginalised areas in Clarendon such as Sevens Road/ Farm, Bucknor Commons, Sandy Bay and Palmers Cross have suffered from a spate of major crimes and shootings since the start of the year.

William Shagoury, chairman of the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee, agrees with Ellis that there needs to be a higher concentration of government and private programmes in these communities. In this regard, he has called on business leaders in Clarendon to support the areas in which they operate.

"I only wish to God that some of the business people would even hire one person from these areas. The business people, I keep on telling them, don't bother to cut off your noses to spite your faces. Help, just make a little effort. If every businessman gives me $1,000 a week, you know how much children we could help to go to school? Is hundreds of people you could help because there are over 150 businesses in May Pen."

The committee has done work in several areas in Clarendon, assisting in training, jobs and supplying them with basic amenities. In Canaan Heights, the committee has promised an incentive of $100,000 if no major crime is recorded in the area for six months.

Call for renewal

An illegal electrical connection on a power pole in Canaan Heights, Clarendon.

In addition to social intervention programmes, a call has been made for the renewal of family life and the provision of skill training for marginalised youth.

"There are too many absentee parents, too many irresponsible parents, because if you are not trained, you can't train children, and there are a number of children whose parents are abroad," Sonya Preddie, vice-principal of May Pen High School, said.

Based on her experience, Preddie argued that some young persons in Clarendon do not treasure education.

"That is another problem in Clarendon; people aren't interested in getting further in education for the most part. They will go to as many schools as possible, but they don't end up doing very much because they love evening school and they love extra classes, but I suppose it is a place to pass the time rather than for education. "

Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon Mike Henry admits that areas within his constituency are in need of critical social intervention and infrastructural improvement.

Developing basic schools

"The society has been deteriorating because of a lack of social infrastructure in the communities and the fact that young people who graduate can't find jobs. The failure to upgrade squatter and spontaneous communities has also led to the lack of opportunities for residents."

Henry, who is also the minister of transport and works, said he would be using his share of the newly instituted Constituency Development Fund to drive infrastructural development of basic schools.

The MP also said he would be fighting hard to regularise squatter communities under the National Housing Development Corporation.

He, however, believes residents need to take responsibility for the factors fuelling Clarendon's crime wave.

"While we can implement social intervention programmes to meet the demand, there is a certain degree of responsibilities on the part of the residents to play a role," Henry noted.

Peter Richards contributed to this story.