‘No compromise’

A break-in at the Petersfield High School shelter has escalated tensions between residents and authorities, prompting Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to demand round-the-clock police presence and warn that the Government will not put up with continued disorder.

Speaking during a visit to the shelter on Friday, McKenzie revealed that the situation had got worse amid ongoing conflicts over the planned relocation of displaced residents.

“There has been a major break-in in the staffroom here at the school,” he announced. “They have stolen the school’s personal property, including a number of laptops, which are critical to the learning of the students.”

He said shelter managers and volunteers had also been threatened.

“They have been threatening the shelter managers and the person who are working here at the shelter. The behaviour has now gone beyond the level that I’m going to accept,” McKenzie stated.

The incident, he said, was totally unacceptable, as he declared he would be “requesting that the police [establish] about 24 hours [surveillance] here at the school, because I am not prepared to put the lives of the persons who have volunteered their services here to be subjected to any threats, any level of disrespect.”

He emphasised that the school has housed residents in their times of need, and further criticised those responsible for the break-in, saying their actions appeared to be retaliation for the impending relocation.

“All because of the fact that they are now required to leave the school,” he said. “Government is making provisions for them. Some are willing to go, some don’t want to go.”

Despite all this, McKenzie said education would not be delayed.

“School must be in a position to begin classes come January, and… we’re not compromising that position.”

The minister had outlined four relocation options which were previously presented to residents, including assistance for those who could find alternative housing, support for renters whose homes were damaged, material support for those able to repair their homes, and a temporary Jamaica Defence Force (JDF)-constructed tent facility for severely displaced families.

However, he noted a few of the residents’ reactions to the media, which he said suggested there would be “war and roadblocks”, were attempts to intimidate the process.

“I hear that some are saying they will block road… I am not afraid of roadblocks,” McKenzie warned. “If they want to be difficult, I can be difficult too. And I’m going to be difficult.”

The minister therefore appealed to residents’ sense of responsibility, saying they should proceed with good judgement.

“Let good sense prevail on this matter,” he said. “Not because of Melissa [are] we going to postpone the education of our children.”

He also confirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security would accompany him next week to interview and re-register residents based on their chosen housing options.

“When I come back here, [on] my next visit, I’ll be coming back to say, ‘This is what you said you want’,” he said firmly.

However, amid the tension, one resident approached McKenzie to assure him that not all shelter occupants were involved in the misconduct.

RESIDENTS STRESSED

She explained that many residents were stressed and traumatised, adding that she herself desperately wanted to leave the facility.

The resident further explained that the school’s vulnerability has increased due to a broken-down section of fence at the back of the property, which has created an easy access point for thieves.

She said criminals who don’t live at the shelter often slip in by crossing the river that runs behind the school, using the damaged fencing to get on to the compound unnoticed.

“At the end of the day, the good will suffer for the bad,” she said.

According to her, this unmonitored entryway has made it difficult to control who comes on to the premises and contributed to the recent break-in.

Addressing he residents directly, McKenzie acknowledged that only a portion of the shelter population was responsible for the misconduct.

“Remember I said it’s not everybody [who] does that,” he told them, stressing that the Government would not allow a small group to jeopardise the safety and stability of the entire shelter population.

Nonetheless, McKenzie reinforced that discipline and safety must be restored.

“We are not going to compromise any of the four positions. We are not going to put up with it. I’m not tolerating any more of what is taking place here.”

He added that the Government would continue working until the school can move on.

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com