WESTERN BUREAU:

Residents of Flankers in Montego Bay, St James, are on a mission to maintain peace in the community, following a year and a half of violence that has gripped the neighbourhood, claiming many lives.

As the nation observes Peace Day today, residents of the once troubled St James community say they are now comfortable in their space.

The Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, in collaboration with the Mobile Reserve (an arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force), several months ago embarked on an intense intervention programme with a mandate to restore and maintain normality in the community.

Marilyn McIntosh-Nash, executive director at the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, told The Gleaner that the upsurge in violence began late 2006 and continued into 2007.

As a result, Flankers was divided into two sections where members of opposing sides exchanged gunfire on a regular basis. The community was under siege.

"Businesses were closing by 4:30 p.m.; residents were moving out; persons were afraid to go to certain sections of the community - that is how bad things were," said McIntosh-Nash.

"I had to close the centre for weeks because I did not want to risk the safety of my staff," she added.

This crime wave forced the justice centre, the business community and residents to solicit assistance to quell the violent feud. Members of the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Mobile Reserve were dispatched to the community.

But, it was the intense community policing that earned the support and respect of the residents.

"The Mobile Reserve came in November 2007, and they were the epitome of excellent community policing. Residents had no choice but to work with them," said McIntosh-Nash.

"They came into an area that was dangerous and terrorised but were able to garner the respect of the opposing sides."

Crime free

According to Denver Frater, assistant commissioner of police in charge of the Area One Division, there has not been any crime and violence within the focus areas of Flankers since police and other internal and external stakeholders intervened.

"Each divisional commander is mandated to maintain an active community policing programme within his respective division, which includes having meetings (with residents). Flankers is an excellent success story as the initiative has been going well so far," explained ACP Frater.