Southside residents living in the Kraal road community claim that they have been victimized by police on patrol in the area. Residents came out yesterday to voice their concerns on the issue in addition to other social problems they have been facing. Jomarie Lanza reports
This was the scene on Kraal Road on Saturday morning. A feud between police officers and residents where one individual went live on facebook to capture the unfolding chaos.
It appears that police attempted to detain one of the residents, and the neighborhood jumped in, and the area erupted in conflict.
Residents claim that this is a regular occurrence within the area: sustained tension between them and the police, and they claim that they are being systematically harassed.
However one particular mother has had enough of the feuding, alleging that police continue to profile her and her son
Kyra Clark, Kraal Road resident
"And I wah they leave me alone. I want they leave me alone And if they are doing their job I have no problem with them doing their job but don't come harass me, don't come harass me please don't come harass me."
She says she drew the line at this wanted poster from her son, that was put out by the department for the world to see. Clark claims that up to date, she still has not received a clear cut answer as to why her son is wanted by police, even after turning him into custody herself. She says that it has created turbulence within their home, hindering her and her son from being able to have access to opportunities for employment and assistance.
Kyra Clark, Kraal Road resident
"When you google his name Shadrick Lord the first thing that pops up is a wanted poster.The wanted poster I want to know up to today's date and thats from when did you graduate 2020? I want know what that wanted was about because up to now god knows I don't know what that wanted was about."
"I want know how his face could be up on a wanted poster and they have my number on speed dial. No come at my house come ask for him or nothing and the next day I have to hear from someone while going to work that Miss you know your sons face is up on a wanted poster?"
"But this is going to affect my son and my family for the rest of their life."
The residents are crying out for some form of intervention. They claim that if they aren't being harassed by the police, they are forced to wallow and make do with the little to no recreational resources they have in the community.
Adrian Welch, Kraal Road Resident
"Anyway I go, I just come out from my yard I get three, four or five brushes before I reach round ya because round so I live. Before I come out from my yard I get a three four five brush. I can't go nowhere like that."
Kyra Clark, Kraal Road resident
"You go to the shop go buy and you're there for two or five minutes the truck comes and stands up in front of you and wait until you already buy. It's getting harassing that the people in the neighborhood don't know what to do."
Elvis Bevans, Kraal Road Resident
"If you take a look around at our drains our houses we are living in the lowest living conditions. Like we seh we need parks we need community centers we need lots of stuff where you guys can just help us bridge that opinion but we would want to see more ministers around here that won't just come with a bandaid."
We will seek comment from the Police whenever we next get to interview the Commissioner - who is presently traveling.
