Rasbert Turner, Gleaner WriterSpanish Town, St. Catherine:
While the business community was up and running yesterday, there were fewer persons on the streets of the town than would be on a normal weekend shopping day.
Yesterday, the lawmen took several men into custody for questioning, relating to a number of incidents in and around the Spanish Town area.
Relatives of these men gathered at the Spanish Town Police Station, where some of the detainees were being processed and released. Others were held, pending further investigation.
officiating minister
Bishop Rohan Edwards, chairman of the Spanish Town Minister's Fraternal and pastor of the Lighthouse Ministry, said that he will be officiating at the funeral service of the late gang leader.
Bishop Edwards said that he is doing this as a community service, as when he first moved to De La Vega City, 20 years ago, things were far from peaceful.
"I think I have come a far way with these people, as when I just moved into the community, I recall a man was stabbed 87 times. They have since turned around and it is one of the most peaceful communities in St. Catherine," Bishop Edwards said.
Not taking chances
Meanwhile, the police said they will not be taking anything for granted and will be out in full force to ensure normality remains in the Old Capital.
A strong military police presence remains in Spanish Town, headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of crime, Mark Shields, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Reggie Grant.
Police and military personnel blanketed several sections of the Old Capital, where they were expecting an upheaval with the arrival of the body of the notorious 'Clansman' leader, Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett, who was shot and killed on October 30, in Rock River, Clarendon, during an alleged shoot-out with members of the security forces.
