Paulwell: ‘Sometimes I want to bawl as well’

Member of Parliament for Kingston Eastern and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell says crime and violence is the number one problem in Jamaica and sometimes he, too, wants to cry as a result of the scourge affecting the country.

Communities within the former energy minister’s constituency have been plagued by sporadic incidents of violence and he referenced Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ recent breakdown at the National Prayer Breakfast over the chilling murders across the island.

Paulwell was speaking yesterday in his constituency at the launch of the Universal Service Fund ‘Community Connect’ Wi-Fi launch at the McIntyre Villa Community Centre.

“I think as a country we all have to come together and agree that if we can solve this problem of crime and violence, it will help us to solve education, solve our infrastructure problem and solve unemployment problem … I saw the prime minister and sometimes I want to bawl as well, when things are happening inside here,” Paulwell said.

The MP thanked the church and the police for the tremendous support that they have given in helping with crime and violence in his constituency.

“I want to thank all of you for the tremendous support, that you have given not only to me personally but to the constituency generally for the hard work. It is not easy,” Paulwell said.

Having been the MP for 25 years, Paulwell said he understands a lot more how to get the police, the church and the political leadership to work together for peace.

“Without peace, we are not going to make it as a country, without peace we are not going to be able to see the realization of our dreams … We have to make this year (Jamaica 60) a special year; let us make it in this community a peaceful year, I beg of you,” he said.

Head of the East Kingston Police Division, Superintendent Tommie Lee Chambers, applauded the efforts of the residents of McIntyre Villa for their turnaround and said that this year she will be giving an award to the best community in the division.

Chambers said she has been working with the community since June 2000 and said McIntyre Villa, also known as Dunkirk, is close to her heart and efforts have been made through her guidance to keep the space as the best in the division.

“As I said to my officers, we will be giving out prizes this year to the communities that have fewer crimes in the division and so far, this community has started out on a good footing,” Chambers said.

The Kingston Eastern Police Division has seen an increase in murders and shootings up to December 25, 2021, according to the latest crime statistics posted on the JCF website.

There were 89 murders, up 25.4 per cent from 71 in 2020.

Shootings in the division were 113, up from 109 for the corresponding period in 2020.