Residents of Newland, one of Portmore's lower-income communities, are crying for help as a bitter gang war has them living in fear for their lives.

The war has become so intense that some of the residents are cautious about leaving their homes, even during the days, out of fear that they would be targeted and killed by opposing gangs.

Those who dare to venture out make sure not to speak out against any of the gangs, as this could mean their lives. "Serious thing dis. Yuh affie watch what yu seh and who yuh seh it to. If certain man hear seh yuh a chat, yu and all yu family a get wipe out, a resident told THE PORTMORE STAR.

THE PORTMORE STAR learnt that the fighting has resulted in a number of families leaving the community. "I don't know why dem lef', because nuh body nuh tell dem fe leave. Dem just pack up dem things and splirt," one resident said.

In a community that is loyal to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, residents have ruled out politics as the motive for the recent killings.

Some residents say that the war is affecting the children who are sometimes afraid to go to school, or anywhere for that matter.

"Is since year the bwoy dem start gwan wikid, but I don't know when it going end, because dem young bwoy ya serious," one man explained. He added that these known gunmen are "bareface" and parade through the community with guns in their hands.

leaders elusive

Detective Corporal Cliff Coleman, of the Bridgeport police, said that the ring leaders in the recent murders have proven to be elusive. "According to information we have received, the ring leaders in the war have been coming in and out of the area. However, we have stepped up our patrols in the community to try and make the people feel safe," said the detective.

He added that some persons wanted to see an end to the violence and have since come forward, but, many others have kept their mouths shut because their families were involved. Corporal Coleman said a solution to the violence would come if these young men went back to school or became gainfully employed.

While the violence is nothing new to the community, residents want it to end. "Is long time this war a gwaan and is time dem stop it now," one elderly man told THE PORTMORE STAR.

Another resident, said that she's "sick of it. The senseless killing needs to stop".

Residents claim the modus operandi of these gangs to be 'blood for blood'. As such, the lives of the gang members, their families, as well as other residents, are always at risk.

Police recalled two of the more gruesome incidents that took place during the war was the killing of three persons in September and then the killing of two men last month. Since then, regular patrols, especially during the nights, have apparently prevented the thugs from doing further mass killing, but single murders continue to be committed in the community.