Schools in the volatile Arnett Gardens and Jones Town communities, which were forced to close down last week because of gang warfare and heavy gunfire, are expected to re-open their gates tomorrow under heavy police cover...
News Source: Jamaica Gleaner
The police will not only patrol the school grounds but they will be found along the routes that the children use to travel to and from school.
Acting Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner, "There will be a special deployment of police in the area to ensure that students reach school safely."
This was supported by Superintendent Gary Griffiths, head of the Kingston West Police Division, who gave the assurance of police presence on the school grounds and along the routes.
This is not the first time, however, that the police have had to patrol school premises because of violence. In 1996, the security forces had to implement similar measures in sections of West Kingston, after gun violence forced the closure of St. Anne's high and primary schools, St. Alban's Primary. Teachers and parents took the decision to close the schools after surviving a number violent incidents on the compounds.
Those which were forced to close last week include the Trench Town and Charlie Smith high schools, where students are preparing for the CXC examinations, Jones Town and Iris Gelly primary, along with a number of basic, schools.
The measures are being implemented following meetings last week between National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, and the Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Omar Davies.
"I don't have any magic formula to stop the war or give everybody their own policeman," Dr. Davies said. "But I have spoken with Dr. Phillips and requested that the police level be increased in the community."
Full Story: Security arrangements
