Enter the ‘Merciless gang’

About a month and a half ago, Merciless gang members announced their presence in Prizgar Road demanding ‘safety tax’ from residents (a payment not to be robbed and shot), selling narcotics and trying to recruit the youth of the area .

Residents contacted Newsday, saying “a gang of disrespectful” youths had beaten people from the area and also sold drugs in full view of school children .

“This place used to be so nice .

Twenty years ago, it did not have anything like what we are now seeing,” said a resident who asked not to be identified. “Now it full of people with no respect. Elderly women trying to pass on the road, and these thugs not letting them pass .

About three people have been beaten up so far .

“And on top of that they are toting guns and selling drugs. My family is frightened right now.” Newsday was told that a base of operations for the gang is an area opposite a church on Macoon Trace .

Head of North Eastern Division, Snr Supt Sagramsingh told Newsday there was no evidence of a spike in crime in Prizgar Road to suggest a new gang operating in the area but he is not waiting either .

He said police patrols will be stepped up in order to quell any criminal activity and give residents peace of mind. “Where gangs are concerned we like to be like a tick on them. To nip their progress before they get out of control,” Snr Supt Sagramsingh said. “As long as people have expressed concern, we will act. We will make checks and patrols in the area