Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Chairman of the People's National Party north-west region Henry McCurdy (second left) presents a cheque for $220,000 to Pastor Desmond Brackett (second right) of the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre for the Norwood Victim Support Fund. His vice-chairman, Clayton Morgan (right), and caretaker of the Norwood division, Patrick Gayle (centre), and Marilyn Nash (left) of the Peace and Justice Centre, share in the occasion. – Janet silvera Photo
WESTERN BUREAU:
Having collected over $200,000 towards the Norwood Relief Fund, attorney-at-law Clayton Morgan is again calling on the Government and the North West St. James Member of Parliament, Horace Chang, to deal with the social deficiencies affecting the inner-city community.
Mr. Morgan, vice-chairman of the People's National Party (PNP) North West St. James constituency executive, told reporters at the handing over ceremony recently that the violence in the community had subsided, particularly since a police post was set up almost two months ago.
More resources needed
But he insists that public officials need to put more resources into the community.
"There is need for a proper police station, green areas, trade and skills training centre, street lights, water and roads," he said. "The condition that the people are living under has contributed to the crime situation."
The money, which was collected from the Montego Bay business community, will be disbursed by the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre to eight families of victims, who died as a result of violent crimes in the area and whose homes were burnt out.
They are related to victims 28-year-old Nitonye 'Howie' Christie, mason, 49-year-old bus driver Gareth Clarke and his wife Claudette, a receptionist, who were killed on June 8. Three weeks later, 43-year-old Patrick Anderson, 29-year-old Natalie Ferguson, 57-year-old Linda Malcolm, her common-law husband, 62-year-old Michael Montaque and their 20-year-old son Michael Jr., were shot and then set ablaze in two separate attacks.
During the period, some 12 children were displaced, with the children of Gareth and Claudette Clarke forced to flee the parish to an unknown location.
Plagued by crime
"We selected these families because the vicious way in which their loved ones were killed sent shockwaves throughout the community and the entire country," stated Mr. Morgan, adding that Norwood has always been plagued by crime but these particular incidents stood out.
Citing the absence of Dr. Chang and Mayor Noel Donaldson, councillor of the Norwood division, from the fund-raising efforts, he said letters sent to both inviting them to participate proved futile.
The vice-chairman took the opportunity to thank the business community for its assistance and singled out Horace Peterkin, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), for initiating a hospitality training programme for 11 young men from the community.
