Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Many empty houses were seen at 38c Job Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine on Thursday where residents said gunmen have been wreaking havoc, which has resulted in mass migration.

Central St Catherine Member of Parliament Olivia Grange toured the area yesterday under the watchful eyes of the police.

The movements of the residents followed the murder of Germaine Hutchinson, who was shot and killed on Monday along Brunswick Avenue after he left work.

"The killing in the area must stop now, and I am telling the gunmen to put down the guns and the police to step up their vigilance in the community. I am also asking residents who left to return now as the police will be maintaining a presence for their protection,'' Grange said.

She told the residents who had gathered that it was regrettable that one of the better communities in Spanish Town was now, the subject of such criminal activities.

The Star was taken to an area where Garwayne Hilton was killed in late March by gunmen who kicked opened his door and pulled him outside.

''As you can see, only the chicken dem, the dogs, and a man of unsound mind that is here. This cannot be allowed to happen. We need peace in the community and the residents deserve more,'' the member of parliament said.

It was revealed that more than 50 residents have fled the community in fear of their lives which have come under threat from gunmen.

Senior police personnel told The Star a presence would be maintained in the community until normality returned.