Police optimistic about Enterprise

The recent killing of Nicholas Simon, 18, an unemployed plumber of Johnson Street, Enterprise for crossing over onto the other side of the Enterprise community, an area controlled by a rival gang, has shot the depressed community back into the spotlight.

A 12 year-old SE A student was also wounded along with Simon when gunmen riding on two bicycles opened fire on him as he escorted the girl home into what is considered dangerous territory for persons living on the other side.

Simon had been warned not to cross the border line, relatives had told Newsday when a team visited.

The warring communities in which rival gangs “Rasta City” (Bhagaloo Street and environs) and “Unruly Isis” (Circular Drive and environs) operate are separated by the Southern Main Road. Because of the heavy influence of drugs and guns in the communities, the Ministry of National Security recently set up a joint army/police post in one of the HDC apartments at Lion’s Gate Crown Trace Enterprise.

Law abiding residents breathed a sigh of relief until January 16 when Simon was killed. Mc Intyre however admitted that the area where Simon was gunned down was not in the area where the post was set up. The murder came as a surprise to many residents who had hoped that the increased presence of police and soldiers in the area would put a dent in criminal activity.

However Mc Intyre told Newsday: “My intention now is to get additional resources and we will expand the cordon to the other side as it has some activity taking place there. The cordon will now go to Africa Ground”.

According to reports, the young girl who is a friend of one of Simon’s sisters had visited their home and complained about someone firing gunshots at her earlier in the day.

Relatives said because she was scared to go home alone, Simon opted to escort her home. His bullet riddled body was found a short while later near African Grounds.” The primary school girl was shot four times in her hand and was taken for medical treatment. Relatives told Newsday that Simon was not a gang member or a bad boy but was focused on being employed. He was just doing the girl a favour when he met his death.

He had in the past received threats, they said, because a member of the “Rasta City” gang believed he was involved in a relationship with a girl from their territory. They denied any such relationship as he had a girlfriend.

Grieving relatives told Newsday that a similar post needed to be set up in African Grounds.

“A lot takes place there,” said one resident.

McIntyre said he is fighting the scourge on several fronts among them tackling head on the social aspects in the community. Already social workers are on the ground in Enterprise and he is already seeing a difference, he said.

“The social workers are in there talking to the people in an effort to reduce the levels of crime in the community,” the senior officer told Newsday.