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Police raid 'Matches' Lane
A BATTALION OF police and soldiers swarmed Matthews (Matches) Lane, Kingston, yesterday morning, on the hunt for guns, ammunition, and wanted men.
The early morning raid resulted in 39 residents being detained, two persons charged for 'ganja' and chilum pipe possession, and one empty 9mm magazine, recovered.
BLOCKADES
In a move of anger and contempt, residents mounted blockades on the nearby Heywood and West Streets. Regular barricades to both sides of 'Matches Lane' (connecting to Beeston Street and Heywood streets) were also in place.
Once again, high levels of aggression were directed toward THE STAR team.
"Yow, gwey from yah nuh man, we nuh want nuh media bou' yah .. Police come terrorise wi as usual," shouted an evidently angry male resident.
"Gwaan before somethin do yuh," advised another.
Headed by Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields and head of Mobile Reserve, Senior Superintendent Donald Pusey, the joint police-military operation included teams from Mobile Reserve, Special Anti-Crime Task Force, Flying Squad, and officers from the West Kingston division.
UNSATISFIED PUSEY
SSP Pusey was not altogether satisfied with the operation's success, but highlighted the importance of regularising the policing of "identified problem areas."
"The operation was not so successful as anticipated ... you don't always see the success of these operations right away, because they also serve as deterrents for criminals in these identified problem areas," he said.
The operation began at 4 a.m., and lasted until approximately 10:30 a.m. Police say apart from mild resistance from a man who was charged for marijuana possession, the operation was "event free."
Vendors along Heywood Street countered police's assertions, however, citing that police were beating people, and detaining women and children. "Mi come an see police a tek weh man, woman, an pikney ... police dem did a beat a bwoy, but when di white man (DCP Shields) come dem start gwaan like dem nice," recalled a female vendor.
DCP Shields could not be reached for comment up to press time, as he was on a 'walk through' tour of St. Andrew South.
Police raid 'Matches' Lane
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