MANY residents of Newland, Naggo Head and Portmore Lane in Portmore, St Catherine, have been going about in hushed tones of late, fearing what some claim is the impending release of a jailed area don this year.

Though relative peace has reigned in the area since the St Catherine South police crippled gangs such as 'Umbrella' and 'Unruly' last year, word on the streets is that a reputed Newland crime don is due to complete his 13-year prison sentence and has intentions of returning to 'run things'.

A major St Catherine South police gang-busting initiative, started by Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth and completed by Senior Superintendent Colin Pinnock, broke the backs of the Umbrella and Unruly gangs last year, turning around the affected communities, which averaged 30 murders per year.

The Umbrella gang, which was said to be under the direct control of the incarcerated gang member, was reportedly not only responsible for killing opposing gangsters, but also a 95-year-old woman and children including a Waterford High School footballer.

The release of the don, some residents claim, will test the police's effort to maintain their grip on the communities. However, others claim he will be in for a rude awakening should he return to the area and attempts to create mayhem.

One male resident, ignoring pleas not to talk aloud, boldly told THE WEEKEND STAR that the don won't last long on the streets if he makes any attempt to "run di place again". "The police dem have more control over di place now and most a him man dead out. Who nuh dead, deh a prison. If him come out and decide fi bad, him a go end up right back deh or dead. Mi nuh haffi tun mi mouth a ground an talk nuh more," he said. "Mek him cum back an start nuh war Missa Jason and the other police dem deh yah fi deal wid him."

Senior Superintendent Pinnock, commanding officer of the St Catherine South Division, yesterday said he himself he had heard "rumours" concerning the don but could not confirm whether the information was correct.