Dexter Street residents fearful after alleged gangsters released

News of the release of 19 alleged Dexter Street gang members on Tuesday has sent shock waves throughout Westmoreland, but more so, within the community of the same name in Savanna-la-Mar.

When THE STAR visited the community on Wednesday, there were barely any community members to speak to. A shopkeeper said that residents feared for their lives.

"Mi naw seh dem a gang memba, but since the police lock dem up, the entire community inna peace, all the war and firing a gun stop," the shopkeeper said. "Before most a dem youth deh get lock up, a nuff night mi haffi hide under mi bed because a gunshot, and every minute a pure gang war. But since dem deh a jail, Dexter Street come een like a paradise; that mean seh a dem a did the problem. "

An elderly woman told THE STAR that she was "broken hearted" at their release.

"Jus wen everything start come back to normal a Dexter Street, and wi and wi pickney dem can walk pon road safe again, wi si the boy dem appear back inna the place. Everybody start fret, some people even a think fi start move outa the community because dem don't plan fi go tru what dem go tru already; only God can help wi yah now."

Commanding officer for Westmoreland, Senior Superintendent Gary McKenzie, told THE STAR that the police did a good job in putting the matter before the court. "Unfortunately, the matter did not go through because of a witness and they are now back in the space," he said. "They were being monitored, and it was a reason why they were first arrested."

He assured residents that the police are aware of the peace and comfort that they have been enjoying.

"It is likely based on the reputation of some of these persons, (that) there could be acts of violence," he said. "The parish is under a state of public emergency and we have certain strategies and tools which we will use. We want to say to the persons who have returned that peace and harmony is in their best favour."

On Tuesday, 15 men and four women, all alleged members of the Dexter Street or Middle East gang, were released when they appeared in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston. The Westmoreland police had previously linked the alleged gang members to more than 40 murders committed within western Jamaica since 2016.

However, the charges did not stick after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi - suspending the matter indefinitely, due to the non-appearance of the main Crown witness.