As the General election looms, it seems that political parties are not the only ones campaigning.

Men from some inner-city communities have embarked on a door-to-door campaign, urging residents to pay for what they call "election protection".

THE STAR understands that the custom started a few months ago and that residents pay out as much as $1,000 on each occasion to thugs to offset the cost of ammunition purchases.

It was also found that the practice is common in garrisons located in sections of eastern and western Kingston, St. Andrew and Spanish Town.

In an eastern Kingston community, thugs say they collect at least $15,000 each time they make demands. Men from a Spanish Town community also made a similar claim. Thugs from a garrison in south St. Andrew say in a good month, they collect as much as $20,000. However, it is a community in western Kingston which was found to have donated the most money, as the thugs have accumulated at least $30,000 in any single collection process.

Communal safety

Upon visiting these areas, THE STAR spoke with residents who admitted to giving the men money with the understanding that they would receive protection.

"Yes, I give dem money aready, more than one time too. Mi gi dem aroun' $3,000 so far. Mi sure seh wen di war start, a dem a go protect wi, so mi nuh si nuttin wrong in givin dem a likkle smalls," said a resident who identified herself as Ms. Liz.

"Plus, it betta wi inna di community gi dem an' nuh mek dem waan go a road go rob nobady an yu hear seh dem dead," the resident of the West Kingston community added.

THE STAR also spoke with men who admitted to being involved in the 'election-protection scheme'. They admitted to taking money from residents but claimed they preferred that it be viewed as 'donations'.

"A nuh really extortion you know. Yu done know seh a election time ya now an' di place a go run hot, so wi jus' beg dem donate a money fi help tek care a business. A dem it a benefit, you know, 'cause wi a protect di place," he told THE STAR.

According to men from the areas where the practice is prevalent, the election period is one that demands they be on the alert. They also claim that their guns are ready to be fired in retaliation of opposing trespassers who might try to invade their turf. As a result, the money collected from residents is used to stock ammunition.

"Guns rise, oil up an' a wait eno. Wi use di money weh wi collect fi buy bullet, suh if dem bway deh feel seh dem a go come cross an' whole heap a shot nuh fire, dem mek a sad mistake" Williefrom Spanish Town told THE STAR.

Apart from the purchasing of ammunition, money collected is also used to finance the everyday needs and wants of the thugs. Food, clothes, and even in some cases rent, are all taken care of with whatever is left after buying ammunition.

"Man affi live you know, an man affi comfortable. Suh, more time afta wi buy some shot, wi use di res' a di money fi buy some shirt, an' pants, shoes, all fi pay a man rent to ... Wi affi mek sure seh di man dem comfortable 'cause a we a bleach a night-time an' a protect di place," explained one man from Spanish Town.

Police from the areas where the practice is prevalent say they are yet to receive any formal reports and are yet to pick up on this activity.

Nevertheless, some officers with whom THE STAR spoke claim that, while they have not received any reports, it is possible that such a practice is being conducted.

"We all know that elections is up and coming so we would imagine that some of these unscrupulous individuals would use the opportunity to exploit some residents for financial gains," one officer said.

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