Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Jamaican Police Take Aim at the Rat Bat Gang

Interesting story from the Jamaican Gleamer concerning the Rat Bat Gang...not sure what political affiliation is aligned with this gang. Interesting story though... http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police-take-aim-at-Rat-Bat-gang_15792565

15 comments:

  1. I don't see why the feud is causing tension in the police force. I would imagine that if a gang was at war with themselves, it would be easier to not only destroy gang activity but gain knowledge about the gang from members who are trying to get another member in trouble or a member simply trying to get out of the game. If the police is involved in the gangs as well such as a situation like Mexico, then there are going to be big problems because I believe the systems are somewhat integrated.

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  2. My hopes and dreams of ever going to Jamaica have been squashed. I’m not following very well. Did they put the murals up or deface them? Though these thugs are tough I can’t help but to remember the other articles we’ve read on Jamaica. The actions in this article sound like a good start on behalf of the local authorities. They are trying to win the hearts and minds. By remembering the other articles of Jamaica, the story of Machine Man Sterling seems iffy. I’m wondering if this guy was mowed down out of retaliation from the police or if he really aimed his weapon at them. He was probably annihilated with a weapon that far exceeded that of .45 caliber pistol. According to this article the cops are making up for their wrong doings. I believe it’s called restorative justice. We really do have it great here in the USA. We have access to counselors and advisers to talk to criminals, more so than other countries. It’s sad that politicians in this country were and are so blatantly corrupt. Again yes politicians are bad in the USA but apparently nothing like developing countries such as Jamaica. The most interesting part of the story are the snap raids. I hope the police force has good gear and whatnot.

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  3. Jamaican Police Take aim at the Rat Bat Gang

    I was a little confused at some point in the article I was not sure if the police was painting the mural for support of the gang or for defense. I then realized the police painted the mural to send a message to the Rat Bat Gang members and the war between them even though the mural was dedicated to the former gang leader, Sterling it was still intended to send out a message of fear to the gang members. The message was to install fear in them, to let them know they will all end up just like the former leader Sterling who was killed by the police. I honestly hope the strategy the police are utilizing to try and control this gang violence works for them, because we will always see innocent people being hurt during war between gangs and the law enforcement. If this strategy works for them they should move on to other neighborhood/street and try to control the gangs there as well, this could be a start on a city wide war on gangs.

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  4. Considering that Jamaica is not as developed as other countries, I think the actions that law enforcement agencies in this countries are great. Painting over the murals and raiding the areas is really going to make a statement among this community and show the gangs in this area that violence and crime will not be tolerated. The fact that police are also taking time to actually talk to residents of the area, especially those who have been affected in order to ease tension as well as work together to find a way to decrease gang activity in the area. It's not an easy task to accomplish but it shows that they are really determined to solve this problem.

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  5. This Article was interesting, especially after hearing how the Jamaican gangs are and how corrupt the police are there. So the Rat Bat Gang has caused some disruption. Now knowing that the police are involved tells me two different reasons that they are. The first reason which sounds somewhat far from the actual reason is that the police really are wanting and trying to do the job that is meant to protect the people which they say are doing. The second reason which sounds closer to the truth is that the person who committed the act was actually killed by police. I find it really interesting that the police are going around painting murals of gang members, the only reason I could see them doing this is if they are the ones that have the confirmed kills and this is their subconscious way of rubbing it in the faces of the people that usually protect the these gangs, and the mural of Paul Sterling if the proof in the pudding. This article is just like the little news clippings from the movie “Starship Troopers” that are just there to give a propaganda feel of a certain organization “doing the right thing”.

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  6. The article and information about about Jamaica was very alarming. I didn't realize that Kingston had some going on or that Kingston was so small. I did know that marijuana was used very heavily along with many other drugs in Jamaica. I would have never imagined that the crime was so terrible there, The homicide rate is 4 times higher than anywhere in the world. I found the way that the gangs was so loyal and determined to help their leaders. The fact that the gang members would die for their leaders showed true loyalty. I have to admit after watching the film and reading this article I feel different about Jamaica. I still would love to travel there one day but, I would be very careful.

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  7. I'm a lil surprised that the police is actually doing their job in this part of Jamaica. The authorities from this country are well known for being very violent and corrupt towards the people the reside there. Knowing that the police of St. Andrews is actually doing something positive to end violence between gangs in the south of St. Andrews is something good to hear from the authorities. These people have to go through so much fear of knowing that shooting can take place any minute between gangs around that area. The residents of St. Andrews and the rest of Jamaica deserve this and much more. They deserve to live in a safer community where kids can play outside and parents wont have to worry about their teenagers getting involved in violence that is produced by the gangs. Hopefully the police can continue getting involved with the residents in a positive, and helpful way. The people that live in these type of violent areas in which the police is very corrupt have trouble trusting the police and giving information out to the authorities. That's why the police should change the way they are and try to be there to help the way they are doing it in St. Andrews. Hopefully the authorities can accomplish to end these gang shootings soon before more people get killed.

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  8. I agree on the issue of why there is tension between the police force over this in Jamaica. Usually and normally you would expect for it to be more of a positive think for the police force in the matter of a goal to help there society and make it a safer place for those around them. In a way like the positive outcome of what they have accomplished with the decrease in sexual offenses and property crime they are making progress is stopping these acts. It being a big issue with the weapons and ammunition that these people have a start they should use if finding out where these gang members are getting it from.
    However even though like I said above that there shouldn't be tension I truly was shocked like the person above me at the what they have done and stopped so far. with recently learning about the Jamaican posse and the things about there police force, it is not put together very well. Bottom line is these police have been given the line of authority and should do nothing until they make it a comfortable population for these people.

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  9. Oh, Jamaica. I have to agree with Clint, after learning of the corruption in the police force of Jamaica juxtaposed to the present gangs, I begin to wonder what their true aim is. Perhaps they genuinely are trying to extinguish and prevent these acts, but why deface and paint over former gang members murals with other gang affiliated individuals and victims? They might see some diffusion of the problem but it seems they are also kicking another hornet's nest. Retaliation will ensue if you convey a lack of respect for gang involved individuals. I'm not saying they should glorify or commend these individuals by any means, but to attempt to fix a problem without respecting these peoples is a poor attempt of trying to see eye to eye and addressing the issue. Sure, getting involved with the locals is a big help but it is also reminiscent of characteristics gangs embody to achieve a following. Yes, there have been some good outcomes with the decrease in sexual offenses and property infringement, but only time will tell if this is the best route. Propaganda is propaganda is propaganda. It only addresses one side of the issue and that is the gang violence. If the gangs are actually squashed out, many individuals in the police force would in reality face a downsizing. Gang affiliates will most likely blame corruption in the police just as police would point to the gangs. As it seems, both are guilty. To divide and assess who is “more” guilty will not address the problem. I don't see this conflict calming down swiftly rather a long drawn out attempt to kill violence with violence.

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  10. I think it is good that the police are getting involved and becoming a part of that community. As an incentive, the police should recruit impressionable young men from that community to join the force to keep an off duty presence in that community and keep the young ones out of trouble or from being recruited into trouble. Offer them some type of community recognition for doing good and supporting their community. To make a stand immediately and let the gang know that type of behavior will not be tolerated is the best way to keep things under control. I think if these kids fear the police they will think twice about their actions. If they are breaking the law then they have to be punished and know it is not acceptable no matter what their situations are. The murals are a good idea to get the identity of the criminals out there, however you don’t want the young children thinking that if you commit a crime then you get your picture up for everyone to see and admire. That might be something to reconsider

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  11. Joyce Shelby
    Jamaican Police take Aim at the Rat bat Gang
    The police want to send a message to this gang; maybe they should help the community to have some kind of force to help their community. I always thought that Jamaica was a nice place to go with all of the raids I want to stay far away from there. I hope that the police are not corrupt because these gangs’ members are getting these guns from somewhere; I hope that they can make it comfortable for the population.

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  12. The police should make every effort to be part of that community. As a matter of fact, the police should recruit promising young men from that community to join the force so as to keep an off duty presence in that community. Not everyone in those communities are bad and you will find a few educated gems residing amongst the rotten eggs. Why would the commish do that? These new recruits would have intelligence on the bad guys and know who to approach if conflicts arise, they would be able to keep the residents from feeling intimidated by these thugs and would be readily able to diffuse any conflicts in the community. Plus the recruits would have families in the communities, so will have a vested interest in the smooth running of these areas. These recruits would be given incentives to remain in the community for at least 5 years and would be able to recommend new recruits when they leave. Its time to have a multi pronged approach to crime fighting...

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  13. It's not surprising that this is happening in Jamaica because of the high Marijuana usage. It is alarming to hear about the violence though. I am glad that police are trying to increase the power and actually doing something to help the situation. Although I hadn't heard of the gang, it seems like it is very dangerous and Jamaica is probably not the safest place to travel because of this. It's sad to hear all this violence going on because of drugs and gangs but it is a reality all over.

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  14. Sometimes police have to to what they do not want to do. At least they are trying to better the community. Though it is wrong to kill anyone and innocent people could get in harms way around them which is unfortunate. Jamaica should keep trying to arrest people but not get to carried away because it might get to their head and than the police will be taking down people even if they are innocent. They should be careful because the people doing the wrong will want to counter attack and might even try to corrupt police with bribes

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  15. I am happy to hear of the police effort of talking with officials, clergy and civilians to try and bring a better community. The gang is breaking up so there will be a lot of violence in that area. Jamaica is known for the marijuana use so I am sure if this gang breaks up another gang will try to move in. The police needs to keep a good presence there in order to diminish the power of future gangs in that area. What the police are doing has reduced the crime numbers in that area.

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