The hit song “Wrong Address” haunts the community of Flanker in St. James despite efforts to change the image and stigma, says Marilyn Nash, head of the Flanker Peace and Justice Centre in St. James.

According to Ms. Nash “Flanker is deemed in most sectors as the place where violence and murders continue to be the order of the day. That is so far from the truth and despite the efforts to remove the stigma and image, the task gets harder every day. However the work continues”.

Making reference to the manner in which the name Flanker is plastered across the front pages of newspapers and on television screens in Jamaica, Ms. Nash said, “We have had so many positive things taking place here and yet what is featured are the few issues among a few members of the community. We have trained mediators, we have had parenting workshops, life skill seminars, offered scholarships to students, send students t o sit CXC and a host of others, but all we see are banner headlines such as From Peace to pieces”.

Ms. Nash said up to November 2007 there were 31 murders in Flanker and due to the efforts of a number of organizations; the figure has been reduced drastically to only 4 so far for 2009. She said the 4 murders for 2009 were committed not by residents of Flanker, but by persons who (from outside) the community. “We have community watch groups which have assisted greatly in reducing the number of conflicts in the area and yet there is very little mention of this in most areas of the media…we are really fed up and tired of the treatment we have been getting and we are calling for a change.”

Marilyn Nash says she is thankful for the role that the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) of the Ministry of National Security has been playing in trying to rid the community of the negative image and stigma which has affected the area for years.

She said the efforts of organizations such as the CSJP have gone a far way in paving the way for peace to be the order of the day in Flanker. The police, civic organizations and corporate companies have all chipped in to assist and we are grateful. We have a vibrant marching band which is made up of youths from the community who despite no formal music training are now able to hold their own among the more established bands. In addition we have three students at the University of the West Indies whom the community members support financially”.

Ms. Nash says she is also thankful for the support which the community has been receiving from Councillor for the Flanker Division and Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair and Member of Parliament for North West St. James, Dr. Horace Chang. “These two representatives have been a tower of strength to Flanker and have always been there for us, especially during our events and crisis. They have literally adopted the community, despite their obligations elsewhere”.

Looking ahead to 2010, Ms. Nash said “I am hoping that the New Year will bring a new thinking among everyone regarding Flanker and the people who live here. Yes we have our challenges and we are working to solve them. With the support of everyone, I am sure that Flanker will be viewed as the place with the right address where people would want to live and raise their family”.

Source: Gillian Scott, CSJP Communications/Social Marketing Coordinator

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