KINGSTON, Jamaica — Head of the St James Division Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor yesterday expressed that public meetings are easier to manage from a policing perspective when they are held in enclosed areas, as it increases the screening capabilities of the police. 

His statement comes after the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mass rally in Sam Sharpe Square, St James on Sunday turned deadly.

 “There was a strong presence of the security forces at the meeting. All exits and entrances were manned,” McGregor noted. 

He also said that several men were observed at the meeting in masks and warned the public against doing so at public meetings as the police will not be tolerating this practice as it is often the modus operandi of criminals.

 The St James Police late Monday affirmed that the murder/shooting incident was attributed to gang violence within the Flanker area of the parish.

According to the police’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), heads of the police division said there is no evidence to suggest the incident was politically motivated. The findings were disclosed at a press conference early Monday.

The dead men have been identified as 22-year-old Javin Campbell, otherwise called ‘Sparta’ of Flanker, St James who is a known affiliate of the Sparta Gang and Nicholas Irving, otherwise called ‘Chow’ who is a known affiliate of the Rebel Gang. Both gangs have been feuding in Flanker for some time, CCU said in a release. Six other people, including four women, were also injured in the incident.

“We (the JCF) are encouraging all Jamaicans to be peaceful throughout this political season as we all have a constitutional right to choose our political directorate,” stated Assistant Commissioner of Police Winchroy Budhoo, commander for Area One, under which St James falls.