Tag: police killings

September 21, 2021 in Jamaica: The car that broke down, the toast that burnt, and the polls that flopped

September 22, 2021

With tropical storms pottering around in the Atlantic (two are called Peter and Rose, the names of our nephew and niece, respectively), it has been warm and muggy in Kingston. Clouds appear and do not bring rain. It has been a week of surprising developments – not least that of the toast to “No Movement … More September 21, 2021 in Jamaica: The car that broke down, the toast that burnt, and the polls that flopped

Jamaica Update, July 19, 2021: An abandoned bicycle, a lifeboat, and a bulk resignation letter

July 21, 2021

It has been two weeks since I wrote my last update. However, I will try to ensure there is no “stale” news here. I have been what millennials would call “super busy” – with a bumper crop of mangoes, and the Caribbean Tree Planting Week (read more here!) We are also living in some kind … More Jamaica Update, July 19, 2021: An abandoned bicycle, a lifeboat, and a bulk resignation letter

Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

July 7, 2021

What a week of upheaval and apprehension as Tropical Storm Elsa approached, seemingly setting her sights on us. In the end, she squeezed between our island and Hispaniola, dragging a huge bag of rain along with her. And as you know, Jamaica has just “reopened” and the Delta variant is on the horizon (or quite … More Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

July 6, 2021

Just a couple of days ago, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, frowning heavily as he spoke at the opening of a new police station in his own constituency of Olympic Gardens, Kingston: There is no doubt that our use of States of Public Emergency has worked to reduce murders and shootings where ever they have … More A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

June 21, 2021

Phew! What a week. We have been under a stifling blanket of Saharan dust for the past couple of days, and endured our hottest day ever in Kingston (June 12). The best thing to do is hide indoors in the daytime and come out to exercise etc. after dark. It has been an exhausting week. … More Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

A tale of two Akeems

March 16, 2021

A tale of two Akeems is the name of my latest release for Sounds of life. It is an audio documentary about the joint police-military operation in Bedward Gardens August Town on March 10. It tells the story of Akeem Thomas and Akeem Mclean during that police military operation. Listen to a tale of two…

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

January 27, 2021

This year is going to be warming up, according to my friends who do weather. It seems to be warming up in more ways than one. Our yard is turning into a dust bowl. We have had no rain since Christmas in Kingston. Other things are warming up too – the gently rising COVID-19 cases … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

January 13, 2021

It’s 2021, and everything seems to be happening at once. It’s hard to keep up. Education, health, crime (crime!!), travel and tourism – and more – all seem to be “hot button” issues. The new year is already shaping up to be quite crowded; we need to wrap our heads around some fundamental issues, and … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 5, 2021: The Back to School Edition

January 6, 2021

What a week. After the relative peace and quiet of the holidays (apart from an intrusively loud motorbike rider – we need to do something about the “enhanced” mufflers they put on their bikes) we were thrown straight into 2021 with a great deal of agonizing over “back to school” (a dilemma shared by other … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 5, 2021: The Back to School Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition

December 30, 2020

Well, Christmas is over. We tried to make the best of it. Apart from a young man who insisted on riding his noisy motorbike up and down our street, Christmas was also quiet – perhaps because of the 7:00 p.m. curfew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, in some places the illegal parties continued … More ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition