Home Invasions and Fire-Bombings Hit Families: A Church Umbrella Group Laments a “State of Near-Anarchy”

• The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches condemned home invasions and fire-bombings
• The attacks hit Gregory Park in St Catherine and Central Kingston
• The group called it part of a “longstanding trend” of violence against families
• It asked for the Peace Management Initiative to be restored and expanded

The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches (JUGC) has condemned a string of home invasions and fire-bombings in Gregory Park, St Catherine, and in Central Kingston, the Jamaica Observer reported.

“These atrocities continue a longstanding trend of wanton and reckless violence against families including children and the aged,” the group said. It said the attacks reflected deeper problems in society, including anger, hate, deadly rivalries, disrespect for human life and a breakdown of community life. “We therefore condemn all of these atrocities, even while we lament this state of near-anarchy,” the statement said.

The churches offered prayers for the families affected and called on member congregations to give active support in their communities. They also addressed the attackers directly, urging them to reconsider and warning of the consequences if they did not repent, quoting scripture: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

JUGC acknowledged that the security forces face serious difficulty with violence that is so unpredictable, but urged the country’s leaders to rethink their crime strategy with wider consultation of civil society. It recommended restoring and expanding the Peace Management Initiative and asked the government to disclose what was discussed at February’s security talks at Vale Royal. “The nation demands and deserves a comprehensive report on this initiative and an updated and credible short, medium and long term plan,” it said, and asked for regular updates on how crime-fighting efforts are performing.

Burning people out of their homes attacks the most basic property most families will ever own. Beyond the danger to life, it destroys savings, documents and years of building, and it scares neighbours into leaving. Once a street gets a reputation for fire-bombings, homes there are hard to sell or insure. For residents and for diaspora families who own houses in areas like Gregory Park and Central Kingston, the churches’ call for a credible, long-term plan is also a call to protect property values, because communities recover only when people feel safe enough to stay and invest.

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