Gangs take a beating - Police target Clansman, One Order and more

A MEMBER of the Police High Command says despite the apparent visibility of the country's fiercest gang - the Clansman - the police have made significant inroads in curtailing its activities, and continue to reap success at breaking up other major gangs operating across the country.

Topping the more than 200 gangs operating in Jamaica, the Clansman, aligned to the People's National Party, spreads its vicious tentacles across a number of communities in Spanish Town, Portmore and Clarendon.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Glenmore Hinds said the Force had taken on and significantly dented the operations of the Clansman which is headquartered in Dela Vega City, St Catherine.

However, he noted that the police has a lot more work to do as it works to weaken this gang.

"We have made significant impact in terms of the number of senior gang members arrested, and some killed in confrontation (but) the gang still has the capacity to recruit," he told The Gleaner on Thursday.

With Clansman leader Tesha Miller in custody, DCP Hinds said the gang appears to be imploding as persons tussle to take charge of the group.

Rival Spanish Town gang, One Order, aligned to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, has been described by DCP Hinds as "a major gang", but he pointed out that it has not been as active as the Clansman.

Hinds said the Presidential Click gang, headed by former West Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, had not disappeared with the absence of key members.

"While the Presidential Click gang is not as potent as it was, residual elements still remain," DCP Hinds said.

He made it clear however, that the West Kingston-based gang had been significantly impacted with key members incarcerated, and others killed in confrontation with their cronies.

Stone Crusher, which previously wreaked havoc on a regular basis in Montego Bay has come under intense pressure from the police.

DCP Hinds said the gang has taken a beating with key members arrested and others killed.

The operation of members of the Umbrella Gang in Portmore has also been dented by the police.

The deputy commissioner said police commanders had been given a mandate to target and dismantle the top three gangs in each of their divisions.

For the first quarter of 2011, some 47 gangs with significant capabilities were identified and targeted.

DCP Hinds reported that at the end of the quarter, the activities of 27 of the gangs had been reduced from significant to moderate. Seven were reduced to insignificant, and another eight remained significant. The activity of five was not accounted for.