Jamaica is deploying soldiers to two neighborhoods where gang violence has driven roughly 200 residents from their homes.Prime Minister Bruce Golding says the government will continue to step up police and military operations in the Gravel Heights and Tredegar Park neighborhoods near the capital, Kingston.Monsignor Richard Albert says an unknown number of soldiers arrived Saturday and occupied some of the roughly 100 abandoned homes.Residents of both neighborhoods had fled with their belongings in early December, blaming clashes between the One Order and Clansman gangs.Police have arrested more than 100 people and scores of residents have already returned.Gang takeovers of poor Jamaican communities are fairly common.
Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club compound,Ronald B. Campbell,Andrea G. Reeder,Dylan C. Grose,William C. Casteel.arrested
Four people were arrested on suspected drug charges, including the group's leader.Methamphetamine was found at the Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club compound at West 19th Avenue and South Gum Street. Benton County Undersheriff Paul Hart said they needed so many officers as a "precautionary" step because the Gypsy Jokers are known to be connected to drugs and other criminal activities."It is an outlaw motorcycle gang with convicted felons who reside there," Hart said. "We gear up to meet that threat."Some stolen property and a couple of weapons also were seized, he said. The Violent Crimes Task Force, made up of federal agents and local police detectives, raided the club house and two homes at 5 a.m.The Benton County Regional SWAT team and the Yakima SWAT team were used to help search all the buildings."Because of the large site ... it makes it difficult to secure and make sure everybody is safe," Hart said. "The Violent Crimes Task Force ... ...
Comments