RESIDENTS OF original Portmore, St Catherine, homesteads, which existed before the area first began benefiting from planned development in 1969, are crying out for help, as their communities have become infested with gunmen, resulting in numerous shooting incidents over the last five years.

Old Braeton, Naggo Head, Newlands, Portmore Lane and Gregory Park - legitimate communities with mainly small farmers and cane workers employed to the nearby estates - have been tainted by an influx of gunmen, mainly from Kingston and St Andrew.

Death orders from don

The latest report is that an incarcerated don has been issuing death orders, resulting in mayhem in the Naggo Head and Newlands area.

However, Gregory Park, which was under siege two years ago by one of Jamaica's most-wanted men, Wilberforce 'Crackers' Matherson, breathed a collective sigh of relief earlier this month.

Matherson was convicted and slapped with 24 years, 14 for shooting at the police and 10 for illegal possession of firearm.

The elusive gunman, who was charged with counts of shooting with intent and various other charges, was hunted by the St Catherine South police for more than a year, resulting in him being placed on the country's most-wanted list in 2007.

Matherson had absconded bail for illegal possession of firearm and, while on the run, was wanted for questioning in relation to numerous murders, in addition to police claims of being involved in shoot-outs with members of the security force.

While Matherson is behind bars, the incarcerated don causing mayhem in Newlands and Naggo Head remains a thorn in the side of the St Catherine South police.

Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, head of the division, has confirmed reports that the alleged death orders from the incarcerated don have been a contributing factor to the level of violence in Newlands and Naggo Head.

"I'm of the opinion that this is so, based on information that we get from time to time from residents within the same community, which indicates that this is a major part of the problem," Nesbeth said earlier this week.

Among the victims of the violence in the area was a two-year-old, shot in his father's arms.

The killings have had residents cowering in fear.

Meanwhile, in Gregory Park, residents have been rejoicing.

They were relieved that 'Crackers' would not be returning to the community any time soon, as the area has enjoyed relative peace since his capture, unlike during his reign of terror when gang warfare was rife.