This Morning I Woke Up Ina Curfew

130 detained in Eastern St Andrew curfew

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

ONE hundred and thirty persons were detained by the security forces yesterday during a curfew imposed on the Eastern St Andrew communities of Papine, Kintyre and August Town.

The curfew, which began at four o'clock yesterday morning, will remain in effect until 4:00 am tomorrow.

"The individuals, mostly males, were arrested following several searches carried out by police and members of the military," a senior policeman monitoring the operation told the Observer.

However, the policeman said no weapon or any other illegal item was seized.

The boundaries of the curfew are north along an imaginary line from Papine Square to the Kintyre community; south along an imaginary line along the foot of Long Hill Mountain, between the August Town Quarry and Princess Alice Drive; east along the Bedward Gardens main road between Kintyre and August Town Quarry and west along Hermitage main road, University Drive and Golding Avenue.

It also runs between Papine Square and Princess Alice Drive.

During the curfew, persons within its boundaries are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by a member of the security forces, police said in a statement.

Yesterday, several men were seen at the August Town Police Station waiting to be processed. Those who were left in the community had worried looks on their faces.

Meanwhile, all motorists entering and leaving the community were stopped and their vehicles searched by police and soldiers.

August Town, known for its frequent gang fights, has always been on the police radar.

Yesterday, the police warned that although they did not find any weapon or other illegal items, they would still be keeping an eye on the area.

Dozens of persons have been detained in the Corporate Area since the imposition of a limited State of Emergency in May, which was extended until the end of July to include St Catherine.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/130-detained-in-Eastern-St-Andrew-curfew_7799803