Counselling sessions to begin for Granville residents

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Victims Support Unit will today begin offering post-traumatic counselling sessions in Granville, St James, which was the scene of a violent protest following the police's fatal shooting of a resident on Tuesday.

"The situation is intolerable and people are suffering from post-traumatic stress," declared community activist O. Dave Allen. "The Victim Support Unit will be on the ground, and contact has already been made with the victim's family."

Tattoo artist Leon Griffiths was shot during an alleged confrontation with the police at his house in the Granville community.

However, residents are adamant that he was killed in cold blood. There were also allegations that armed thugs fired a volley of shots at the Granville police station during the demonstration.

As a result, reinforcement security personnel were deployed in the community, and a curfew imposed until 5 p.m. yesterday.

At press time, Superintendent Merrick Watson said the area was "calm" but that the police would still maintain a presence in the area.