Delroy Chuck
How things have changed! Nowadays, the news out of Grants Pen are mainly uplifting and enlightening.
Hitherto, whenever Grants Pen was in the news, the image was one of conflicts, violence and upheaval. Perhaps, it is too early to cheer, because in the past we have had prolonged periods of peace and quiet, which were suddenly interrupted by the sounds and effects of gunfire and violence. Now, for the better part of a year, there has been no serious disturbance.
The model Grants Pen Police Station has definitely made a difference, and will continue to do so. Since its opening, there is a hopeful renewal in the Grants Pen and Shortwood communities. Serious crimes have almost disappeared and the communities have only had to deal with minor skirmishes.
Model of success
It was therefore timely and deserving for the latest Gleaner Editors' Forum to focus on the conceptualisation, building and influence of the police station and the new Edna Manley Clinic.
Through its directors, Becky Stockhausen, Diana Stewart and others, the American Chamber of Commerce played an important part and spent much effort, energy and money to create a community-policing model that incorporates many of the services that a community needs and which model, if successful, should be duplicated elsewhere. So far, the evidence suggests the model is working.
With less crime, it means less burdensome police work to do investigation and prosecution. On the front page of the July 21's paper, Trevor Weston from the nearby Acadia community reported: "In recent times, we have not had any problems. No car has been stolen and pilfering has almost ceased."
Noise nuisance
There are similar reports from adjoining communities, save and except that these adjoining communities are now suffering from unreasonable and excessive noise emanating from sound systems in the area.
Actually, the main challenge of the police at this time is to control the noise nuisance in the area, especially on weekends. Adjoining communities are complaining bitterly, particularly when the noise level is inordinate and the disturbance goes beyond midnight.
In truth, with peace and co-operation in the area, every corner seeks permission to have dances, which is a major economic activity and stress buster for the residents. At the same time, there must be balance and tolerance everywhere.
While the police are minded to permit the dances, the promoters take advantage and breach the conditions of the permission given, sometimes playing loud music throughout the night.
Need for investment
With sustained peace in the area, Grants Pen urgently needs more economic renewal, commercial activity and increased prosperity. Many previously closed businesses are reopening but new investors and entrepreneurs are needed.
Similarly, government agencies need to loosen up the bureaucratic red tapes to allow much needed assistance to flow into these inner cities. At present, significant Lift Up Jamaica work is proceeding on the cemetery at the intersection of Shortwood Road and Markland Avenue.
However, other approved Lift Up work that could continue the beautification of Grants Pen and Barbican roads are still to come on stream. From last year June, I submitted a plethora of small projects to improve and benefit these inner cities but their implementation is being delayed unduly.
Rebuilding the inner-city communities in North Eastern St. Andrew is a challenging one and is a process and not an event. It received an enormous boost with the new police facility in Grants Pen. Yet, the process cannot slow down, as so much more needs to be done.
The Inner City Housing Project needs to come on stream, the roads and gullies need urgent repairs, and the demand for jobs and opportunities is intense. Still, even in small ways, Grants Pen and surrounding inner-city communities are seeing much-needed improvements.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament.
He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com.
