- NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas greets school children and a resident during a tour of Jones Town and Trench Town.
Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
FINANCE MINISTER Dr. Omar Davies yesterday came under pressure from several South St. Andrew residents who accused him of dereliction of duty in his capacity as member of Parliament.
They also accused Dr. Davies of not using his influence as a senior government minister to bring criminal elements in the constituency under control.
The accusations came during a tour of the community by the finance minister and new police commissioner Lucius Thomas as well as other members of the Police High Command.
TOO MUCH KILLING
"Bottom (Jungle) is fighting against top (Jungle) ... There's too much killing, and we would like for it to stop," said a resident who identified himself only as 'Delroy'.
"Concerning you Mr. Omar Davies, we haven't seen you, and ah woulda love to see you," he continued, to rounds of applause from residents.
In response, the minister, speaking at the Enid Anglin Community Centre in Admiral Town, denied the accusation, saying he does not necessarily have to be there physically every day to address residents' concerns.
He also pointed out that it was the job of the police to bring to book undesirables within the community.
"My position on crime and violence is the clearest of any politician in Jamaica," he said.
"I don't deal with criminals and gunmen. Criminals and gunmen must be dealt with by the police. I want to make it clear that I don't have gunmen friends."
Meanwhile, Commissioner Thomas assured residents that the constabulary force was doing all it could to ensure that law and order exist within the community.
He noted that if peace were to reign in the strife-torn community, residents must cooperate with the police to root out criminal elements.
"The police alone cannot solve crime. Therefore we must have a partnership of people and police," reiterated Commissioner Thomas, who was making his first official visit to an inner-city community since being appointed last month.
