Inspector Davon Shirley (centre), who is in charge of the Red Hills Police Station in St Andrew North, enjoys a light moment with his team. From left: Constable Rockes Gayle, Sergeant Sharnet Griffiths, District Constable Kerry-Ann Ellington, and constabl
WHEN INSPECTOR Davon Shirley was placed in charge of the Red Hills Police Station in St Andrew North more than five years ago, residents who wished to host constant parties without respect for the Noise Abatement Act did not see eye to eye with him.
But the once confrontational encounters are now a thing of the past, and residents are now realising that he is there to serve all.
Shirley pointed out that from the roughly 25,000 persons his team is responsible for protecting and serving, 20 WhatsApp groups have been created by residents to facilitate good relations and information sharing.
“People used to think it was a free-for-all, until I told them that the law makes provision for people to enjoy themselves, but also makes provision for persons to get sleep. There used to be stand-off until they realised I wasn’t trying to set law, but enforce it,” he told The Gleaner.
“Throughout Red Hills, there are roughly 60 bars, and almost every one of those persons is involved in a round robin. You have round robin in Red Hills every single night. I let them know that they can keep their round robin, but it has to be within licensed premises and you have to respect the lock-off time, and they have warmed up to the idea.”
Shirley boasts of being a “household name” in Red Hills, especially among children. Something else he is proud of is that there have only been two murders since the start of the year, compared to 11 last year.
However, he is particularly concerned about the number of adults who have sex with children and the influx of criminals into the area.