IN JAMAICA: Turn In The Guns, McGregor Tells Peace-Hungry Gangsters......Has to be genuine "But people have to be genuine in what they are saying ... a man can't say 'peace' and have his two hands behind him with his guns."

Published: Friday | February 28, 2014

McGregor

Turn In The Guns, McGregor Tells Peace-Hungry Gangters

Even as he welcomed early signs that the 'combatants' in the protracted gang feud in west Kingston appear to be finally embracing peace, Superintendent of Police Steve McGregor yesterday warned that the first order of business is for the guns to be taken out of the hands of gangsters.

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating," said McGregor, who has been in charge of the tough Kingston Western Police Division since late 2013. "It's early days and it's just word of mouth. We want to see the action that will support such talk."

The Gleaner reported yesterday that gangsters in the area were seeking to initiate peace after two years of severe bloodletting that claimed scores of lives. A peace dance and march was reportedly held on Tuesday as a signal of their intent.

McGregor said fresh in his mind was the violence unleashed on the other side of the Corporate Area in east Kingston on Valentine's Day, when men who were under the impression that communities had agreed on peace, ventured into a neighbouring area, but were turned back.

17-month-old killed

The men reportedly returned with high-powered guns and opened fire. When the smoke cleared, a 17-month-old baby and a man lay dead. The shooting triggered reprisals in which a two-month-old infant narrowly missed death, as his parents took bullets for him.....more