Safe haven - Denham Town coach praises ZOSO

Omar Edwards, resident of Denham Town and head coach of the Denham Town High School football team and Tivoli Gardens FC, said the return of the security forces to the community has been a blessing for student athletes and young sportsmen and sportswomen from the community.

Last October, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Denham Town the island's second zone of special operations (ZOSO). But with the ending of the curfew and the implementation of the third and final building phase of the operation, members of the security forces withdrew from the area. This led to an increase in gang violence activity, with three persons killed since Wednesday night. This has triggered fear among residents once more.

Although the curfew has not officially been reinstated, security presence in the community has been bolstered since last week's incidents, and Edwards said its return has made his athletes and their parents feel much safer on their travels through the community to and from training and otherwise.

MORE COMFORTABLE

"It has been a positive influence. The kids feel much safer coming out to training, and the parents feel more comfortable sending their children to training. When the curfew was imposed, it allowed players to come to training. Police and soldiers are not going to turn them back (from training), hence, they felt a little more comfortable coming. But when the curfew lifted, shots started to fire again, and parents felt a bit scared to send their children out," he said.

"Our Manning Cup captain, Malique Goldson, was grazed the other day in a gun battle. Because the Under-20 competition was postponed, it allowed him to play idle football, and it resulted in a bad situation for him."

But Edwars said that since the security presence has been increased, some amount of security and stability is being felt in the community.

"Based on what I have seen, the curfew is back in effect. When players from the community go to training and have to return home, they feel much more secure. When the security force is out and they are going home, they are unlikely to encounter any gunshots," he said.

He added that the only way for the people to overcome the violence that has gripped the community is to unite and live as one.

"My calling is for people to unite and live better. In my opinion, it (ZOSO) is not the best thing. I would want to see the community unite so we can attract quality players from outside the environment," he added.