We also asked Williams to discuss his recent efforts to de-escalate gang tensions in Roaring Creek Village. That's after a spike in gun violence occurred last weekend, claiming the life of another member of the Hyde Family.
As we told you, last Saturday, 21-year-old Malcolm Hyde, was shot and killed while he and his girlfriend were purchasing food in the Hattieville Area of Roaring Creek Village.
In our interview with the Commissioner this morning, he said that police will have a stronger presence in that village:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes, we know that Roaring Creek is another area of concern with the whole issue of the gang rivalries in that village. And so, what I did, I had a talk with the area representative, the honorable Julius Espat, and I must say that he was extremely excited to be able to assist the police in putting in place something that would help to make the residents of Roaring Creek more safer. And so what I did was, myself, the commander of that area, Mr. Barrow, the commander of SPU, Mr. Gamboa, and the chairman of that village, Mr. Banner, we did a walk-through of the area of concern which would be the Hattieville area of Roaring Creek and we decided that due to the fact that the rivalry between the rival groups is so intense in that area, it would be good to set up a permanent police presence. And so, the honorable Espat managed to purchase for us a tent, table, chairs and bicycles which is now assigned to that area so we have police presence there on a twenty-four hour basis. They are given bicycles that they would be patrolling the area on with a view to ensure that the criminal elements do not get any opportunity to strike again."
"It is a very difficult task because separate and apart from the Hattieville area, we do have the Another World area of Roaring Creek which is also of concern and we also have Cotton Tree which is within that same constituency that is concern, so the special patrol unit is now working in collaboration with the Roaring Creek police to be able to ensure that we maintain operational presence in the 3 areas of concern within that constituency to see how we can bring some semblance of calm, because we do recognize that the tensions between those groups is extremely high and if not address, it will lead to streak of murders. This morning Brother Nuri and William Dawson from the leadership intervention unit will be having and intervention session with the various parties."
