Gunmen from sections of west Kingston say they are regrouping in an effort to maintain peace and order in the area despite the absence of a don.

Through a release which was issued yesterday, the Police High Command claimed to have information that gunmen from the area were trying to continue along their violent ways, and even added that several threats have been made on the lives of police personnel.

Consequently, the high command is advising that the threat level against the police force remains high.

"Police intelligence is indicating that criminal elements from gangs which operated in western Kingston are regrouping in order to resume their criminal activities. This regrouping is being done primarily in Denham Town and comes against the background of continued and effective police operations being carried out in western Kingston, especially in the Coronation Market area," the release said.

security forces

Despite the frightening claims of the police, thugs from Denham Town confirmed that some amount of regrouping has begun in the community, but were quick to point out that they are merely working to maintain peace and order once the presence of the security forces diminishes.

Denham Town neighbours the former Christopher 'Dudus' Coke stronghold of Tivoli Gardens, and is almost synonymous with the community.

"Some a di man dem start forward in back fi real, but di man dem mostly stay inna fi dem acre cause di soldier dem still in a di place and drive through suh no man nuh want di attention," one known thug, Bulla Ranks, explained. "Wi naw deal wid violence still eno, a just fi continue protect our place cause when di police dem gone any card can play so wi naw lef our place open fi nobody attack wi."

Another thug, 3 Star, said despite Dudus' absence, they will do whatever it takes to ensure that 'law and order' remains in the community and that the 'system' remains in effect.

"A di system mek west Kingston and whole heap a place did a run smooth and wi want di place fi continue run wid law and order, not because di boss gone wi a go sit back and watch di system mash up ... Him might deh a jail now but wi know him nuh want dat suh if a even dat wi can do fi him wi ago try do it," he explained.

On Labour Day, the security forces launched a massive offensive on Tivoli Gardens and other sections of west Kingston after thugs barricaded themselves inside and transformed the area into a fortress.

Hundreds of gunmen, some of whom were from other parishes and who were even paid, gathered in west Kingston and vowed to defend Dudus, who is now in the United States awaiting trial on charges relating to gunrunning and drug trafficking.

incursion

The incursion reportedly led to the death of more than 70 persons including, three members of the security forces. Asked about reprisal attacks on the security forces, the once-defiant thugs seemed a bit on the timid side with their responses. "Right now wi nuh business bout police and soldier, a jus' our place wi a worry bout," Bulla Ranks said.

"Police and soldier do dem ting and wi still deh yah. Wi jus a give Jah thanks fi life still," 3 Star added.

The security forces also recovered more than 80 illegal guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition after taking control of Tivoli Gardens. It is, however, being speculated that a large number of weapons remain there.

When asked if and how guns would be used to maintain the law and order they desired within west Kingston, the thugs chose to not comment and said that would be like committing suicide.

judgement

In explaining, Bulla Ranks said, "Yu nuh see seh a judgement dung yah, if me fi stay talk bout gun in a west Kingston now might as well mi call a police and tell him weh fi find them."

Meanwhile, in ending, the release from the high command reminded "criminal elements and those who sympathise with them that the police remain undeterred in the fight to defeat organised crime".

Names changed.

'Some a di man dem start forward in back fi real, but di man dem mostly stay inna fi dem acre cause di soldier dem still in a di place and drive through suh no man nuh want di attention.'