Hannah Town cries
Published:Tuesday | May 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
- Residents call for rebuilding of police station
Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner Writer
Residents of the west Kingston community of Hannah Town are appealing to the Government to speedily rebuild and reopen the police station in the community which was destroyed by thugs loyal to alleged crime boss Christopher 'Dudus' Coke almost one year ago.
Approaching the anniversary date that the building was set ablaze by gun-toting criminals, the burnt-out shell provides a painful reminder to the residents of Hannah Town who have repeatedly denied being part of the attack on the symbol of law and order.
The building on Hannah Street, which once housed the police station and a homework centre, is now partially covered by rusty sheets of zinc behind a heavily padlocked gate.
"We need the station. We want it back. We will even do the policing ourselves, if they don't want to send anybody," Shadona Watson, public relations officer for the Hannah Town police youth club, told The Gleaner.
"When we need police service here, we have to go to Denham Town Police Station," bemoaned Watson.
For the residents of Hannah Town, the rebuilding and reopening of the station cannot come too soon.
They say by nightfall, the area immediately around the former station is a ghost town, and an increasing number of persons are falling victim to criminals.
The Hannah Town Police Station was one of five stations damaged during the three days of unrest last May as thugs loyal to Coke firebombed the facilities as part of a widespread attack on members of the security forces.
Coke, who escaped a security dragnet set up around west Kingston, was held one month later and has since been extradited to the United States, where he has been indicted on gunrunning and drug-trafficking charges.
scrap-metal thieves
The Hannah Town and Darling Street police stations were burnt to the ground, while the Kingston Central, Cross Roads and Denham Town police stations were damaged.
One year later, the remains of the Hannah Town Police Station is prime target for scrap-metal thieves who, like vultures, have descended on the carcass.
Fearing further losses, the police have barricaded the remains, but residents want the station rebuilt now.
The residents have indicated a willingness to do the rebuilding work themselves with Watson and others planning a Labour Day project to clean up the compound which was also home to the the Hannah Town Learning Network Centre.
This was an after-school facility which assisted slow learners improve their reading capabilities.
"We would love if the National Solid Waste Management Authority could assist us on Labour Day by clearing the rubbish, because we don't have any money to pay for the removal of the garbage," Watson said.
"God knows, we really want it back. We need the station back," she added.
The Government, with cash donations from the private sector, has rebuilt the Darling Street Police Station, but there is no indication yet as to what will be done with the Hannah Town Police Station and there is no provision in this year's Budget for its repair.
A meeting with emergency service representatives last month at the Hannah Town community centre left residents with no clear indication on the future of the station.
This week, The Gleaner zooms in on Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston one year after the May 2010 operations aimed at capturing alleged crime lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
READ ... Life-changing stories in The Gleaner.
HEAR ... The cries of the residents in the Major News at Five on Power 106 FM
WATCH ... The strugglesof transformation on www.jamaica-gleaner.com.