The Hunts Bay police have beefed up patrols in the tense Seivwright Gardens/Cockburn Gardens area of Kingston 11, after reports began circulating that both sides have marked for death 40 men and 20 women from each community.

The community is divided into two warring factions. The top section of the community includes Finch Crescent, Canary Avenue, Woodpecker Avenue, lower Cockburn Gardens and some sections of Henderson Avenue. These communities are said to be in friction with lower Woodpecker Avenue, Guava Road, Solitaire Road and lower Mahoe Road.

Residents of Woodpecker Avenue publicly stated recently that men from the neighbouring communities were planning to kill 40 men and 20 women in their community.

Superintendent in charge of the St Andrew South Division, Derrick Knight, told THE STAR that he was aware of the reports by the residents. "I've heard some concerns from them. What is happening in that area is straight criminality. People want to take over in terms of donmanship."

He said the section of the community which is complaining about the alleged 'contracts' is the top section, but added that the other section was also making similar claims.

"There are charges and counter-charges," he said. The officer said the police had a meeting with members of the community last Thursday and police presence has since increased. "There is an increased presence in the area - mobile and foot patrols. We are putting a buffer between them, to prevent people from going on either side, until we can put a lid on the problem."

Superintendent Knight said the police were seeking several men from both sides of the community for questioning in relation to the violence. At the top of the list is Ricardo 'Bully' Thomas, who is believed to be the leader of the Bully gang which, reportedly, controls the upper section. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he was implicated in a recent murder. Also wanted are men known only as 'Pie' and 'Wayne Marshall'. They are wanted in connection with several murders which have taken place in the community over the last six weeks.

The men wanted from the bottom section are Dwight Sproul, and men known only as 'Waldy', 'Mackerel', and 'Honeyboy'. The police say this section is controlled by the 'Raymond Barrett' gang.

The first signs of trouble in the community came on May 7, when THE STAR reported that residents of Solitaire Road had been chased from their homes by thugs from neighbouring communities.