Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

As Rockfort enters a tense calm after weeks of unrest, Mountain View has again been flung into another bout of violence.

Sporadic gunfire has now spread to areas that were previously dormant, including McGregor Gully, and 'Goodrich' (95 Mountain View road), and threatens to spread into Vineyard Town, if nothing is done.

"The police are doing nothing while the place is getting worse and worse. Our (Mountain View) homework programme that helps grades two to six students had to be suspended, and no social activity is hurting all the sellers," said a concerned citizen.

NOT AN INCREASE

Although the police confirm that there has been some activity stemming from a recent killing along Deanery road, they do not see it as an increase.

"I wouldn't say it is an increase, but we are aware that some friends of the man killed near the Shell gas station on Thursday, had retaliated causing more tension in the area," said Deputy Superintendent of Administration in the eastern division, Noel Christie.

MORE POLICE PRESENCE!

But residents are adamant that the police are taking the situation too lightly, and say that they are reflecting their nonchalant attitude through their lack of presence in the area.

They also say the violence had not stemmed from the murder at the gas station on Thursday, but actually from an incident with a man from McGregor Gully, who was said to be conducting robberies in the area.

It is alleged that after the man was shot at and chased from the area, he returned on Tuesday night, with what eyewitnesses recount as an "army" of gunmen.

"Di man come back fi shoot up di place...dem kill one man, an shoot 'Sour,'" said a resident, who referred to a popular figure in the community, who had been shot and injured in the incident.

Police confirm that about 8:30 p.m. last Tuesday, a group of armed men invaded Bygrave avenue, and opened fire on a group of men who were gambling on the roadside. Two men were shot and injured in the incident, wherein one man succumbed to his injuries.

Several reports of crossfire between the two warring factions in Mountain View, have led residents to wonder when are the police going to intervene.

Vice-president of the Mountain View Council, Collie Allen, concurs that the police are doing little to curb a matter that could spiral into anarchy.

"My son is traumatised from the war ... I can imagine how the rest of residents feel when their kids leave for school. That mock station (Mountain View police station) is a stone's throw away from the constant gunfire, and the council is now trying to meet with DCP Mark Shields to address the matter. It cannot be an issue of manpower, there is mobile reserve, and the JDF," said Allen.

BUFFER ZONES

In speaking with residents, Allen suggested two areas that police needed to institute 'buffer zones', to stop the killings.

"Buffer zones are needed at two key places to stop the men from both sides. One is needed at the intersection of Saunders avenue and Mountain View road, and another at the front of Jarrett lane and 63 (Mountain View road)," said Allen.

Joint police and military

DSP Christie said he would be looking into the proposition of buffer zones at Jarrett Lane, but says he is has already give instruction for one to be set up at the intersection of Saunders avenue,

"We have a joint police and military foot and mobile patrol going on, as well as police operations ...I have asked for one of the armoured trucks to be parked out at Saunders avenue already, and I want to ensure the residents of Mountain View that the police are doing all they can to return the area to normality" said DSP Christie.

The STAR team left the area soon after the sound of heavy artillery began echoing in the area, confirming that the war has once again taken over Mountain View.