Over the past few days two persons have been killed and two injured as a result of gun violence in the Conch Shell Bay and the Lindo’s Alley area. Area Representative for the Albert Division, Hon. Tracy Panton, in which both these areas sit, was on the ground on Wednesday afternoon. Panton was in the area along with police officers including officer commanding for Eastern Division, South, ACP Chester Williams. They were there to reassure residents that everything is being done to deal with the crime situation.
Panton met one on one with residents who expressed great concern with the escalation of gun violence. In her meetings Panton explained that as police do what they can to deal with the crime situation by increasing patrols, through her office she is looking for alternative ways to support the community to try and stem the recent spike in violent activity. She stated that far too many of our young men are dying and that as a community we have to come together and do what we can to stop the violence. The ‘turf war’ which has now ensued is one that requires intervention and mediation. She added that what is most concerning is that the area is small and every body knows everybody in the area.
From her constituency office, programs are run to work with young people to mentor them from as young as five years of age to get to show them alternative ways other than crime. Panton noted that there are concerns in the area to increase access to job opportunities.
As for the issue of crime in the entire Albert division, Panton noted that where there was a spike is not the only vulnerable area and she says that her office is engaged in other ‘sensitive’ parts to do outreach and dialogue to prevent flare ups. She says that particular focus is placed on young children to prevent them from being pulled into the cycle of violence.
