Police fight to win Tivoli hearts

Laura Redpath, Senior Staff Reporter

Residents of Tivoli Gardens said they were hesitant to trust the police, voicing their concerns about community-police relations as security personnel in the recently ravaged community try to mend their relationship with the residents.

"The people have been very cooperative," said Superintendent James Forbes of the Community Safety Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

"From time to time, you have those who aren't, but people are accepting us."

Forbes said a mobile police station, in addition to the police post, had been established.

Cops who are trained in mediation, community policing and conflict situations have also taken up post in Tivoli Gardens.

Marysaid she wants the police gone from Tivoli Gardens.

"I want them to come out. You get me?" she said.

"Although," she added as an afterthought, "The last set ah police that come in deal with people good."

Susan, mother of an eight-year-old 'A' student, said that despite the police presence, she felt unhappy.

"I would ask the (police) to treat us like human beings. We were well respected before the police came," she said.

Susan, like many residents, pledges allegiance to deposed community leader Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who has been extradited to the US to face drug and gun-trafficking charges.

"You see this?" she asked, waving her daughter's test paper, which showed 43 correct answers out of 50, "This is what (Coke) paid for. He wanted to see grades.

"And if he saw low grades, he'd tell the children to do better next time."

Residents gathered across the street from the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre, saying that before the police arrived they were happy.

"When my daughter see the police them, she run or stand up and freeze," Susan said.

further meetings

As the police work on establishing relationships with residents in Tivoli Gardens, the Social Development Commission's (SDC) Community Development Committee will come together on Tuesday to discuss details regarding developmental issues.

"We're anxious for other social agencies to come in," Forbes said. "I am desperately hoping that they will come sooner than later.

"The police cannot do it alone," he stressed.

Sandra Goldbourne, parish manager for the Kingston and St Andrew arm of the SDC, told The Gleaner that a "wide range of community issues" such as security, health, housing and employment would be covered in the rebuilding programme.

Names changed to protect identity.