LETTER OF THE DAY: A better lockdown strategy for Tivoli

The Editor, Sir:

While I appreciate the pained efforts of the security forces to extradite Christopher Coke in a manner so as not to cause too much distress to the populous Tivoli Gardens and Jamaica at large, I think that the entire operation could have been initialled in a more convincing manner.

There is no greater ally that the Jamaica Defence Force/Jamaica Constabulary Force could have at this time than the residents of Tivoli Gardens, whether they (the residents) like it or not.

I am no great military strategist (if any at all), but picture this:

1. On Monday, May 17, Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that the extradition request for Christopher Coke would be signed.

2. On Tuesday, May 18, an arrest warrant had been obtained for Coke's arrest.

3. On Wednesday May 19, Tivoli Gardens is under self-imposed lockdown; barricades have been set up and it was reported that even fuel and other items were being stored in anticipation for a possible showdown with the security forces. I personally drove on Industrial Terrace last Wednesday and it was like a ghost town. The usual fray of activities was non-existent. Nevertheless, the women of West Kingston claim they have freedom of movement and communication.

4. I think that what the security forces should have done at this point was to remove the comforts enjoyed in Tivoli Gardens. The electricity supply to the area should have been removed. Think of the discomforts of only room temperature water and juices, meat and leftover spoiling in the refrigerators, the sweltering tropical humidity with no fan or air conditioner, no computer, no charge for cellphones, no radio, no cartoons to distract the kids from annoying the already frustrated mothers, everywhere dark from sundown to sunup giving an ominous feeling of uncertainty.

stink to high heaven

The water supply should also have been disconnected. Imagine an entire community so densely crowded and no one had a shower in days, toilets that cannot be flushed, houses not cleaned, dirty dishes in the sink, miserable babies that need to be cleaned and changed every couple of hours, nothing to drink.

Then of course ... communications. Partnering with the three cellular phone providers, by triangulation, any cellphone that becomes active within the geographic area of Tivoli Gardens should be immediately disabled electronically. This too could be done for any landlines in the area.

I guarantee that in less than a week, the women who came out earlier in support of their 'President' would be coming out in support of themselves. It would have become unbearable in the enclave. They may say they will die for Coke (Christopher Coke, that is), but as long as they are alive, they want to live for themselves.

As soon as the residents become overwhelmed and frustrated, they will begin to rebel from within.

I am, etc.,

RICO POSSE

ricrobin1@gmail.com

Kingston