**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 4 for 2004 - Edition 1 Publication Date: February 10, 2004 Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 109 Reply to: webmaster@portmore.org Reply to: rhouse@cybervale.com Subscribe: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/portmore_newsletter/ Web site: http://www.portmore.org Phone: 876-320-7343 or 935-3290 Note: Please read notices at end of newsletter CONTENTS ======== 1. Top Portmore Police removed. 2. Valentines with a Difference. 3. Great new items on the Portmore Website - You will love it! 4. Portmore Week Schedule - April 25 - May 2, 2004 ############################################################ 1. Top Portmore Police reassigned. ############################################################ The Portmore e-Newsletter understands that the Superintendent of the St. Catherine South Police (covering Portmore and its environs) has been re-assignment by the Police Commissioner. This was done to facilitate an investigations into missing firearms from the South St. Catherine Police HQ (ie. The Portmore Police Station, or 100 man station). Unlike what was stated in the Observer Newspaper, he is not being put out to Never-Never Land! (When the News media does not know you, they say any hurtful thing about you that will sell papers!). the Superintendent is a principled church man and I believe his name will be cleared of wrong doing. In the mean time, Deputy Superintendent Cornelius Walker is the new commanding officer. ***ADVT.******************************************** *** *** *** RBTT BANK JAMAICA *** *** *** *** We are coming to Portmore *** *** http://www.rbtt.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** Since the first day the Portmore Police Station opened we have been concerned about it. Firstly, the public has free access to the guts of the facility. I believe, everyone who goes into the station should have to sign in and should be restricted from areas marked "RESTRICTED". Additionally, there are all sorts of public activities at the station. Activities that are inconsistent with a Major Police Station... particularly since it houses prisoners and fire arms! For example, there are frequent community meetings, netball practices, band practice, exercise groups and domino games there. There is a full scale alcohol bar at the station! Additionally, there are frequent bar-b-ques, bingos, and concerts at the station! All these activities let in the general public and need to be reviewed! After the public is restricted, then the police can concentrate on getting rid of the criminals within their ranks that make any item left at the station subject to theif! True, True! At a time like this in Jamaica, we need a superior Police Station that can manage and reduce crime. Of most concern to us is the fact that the Portmore Police Station (The South St. Catherine HQ) does not have the SIMPLEST facilities to do good police work! Where are the network computers with the information and pictures of criminals? Why is the Police force still using those huge Station Journals, and where is the evidence storage facility for continuing investigations and forensics? Where are the offices for the various police units? And will someone get rid of that dirty living room set in the waiting room! Will some please keep a journal of calls. Here is another MAJOR problem with the police force.... It has NO organizational memory! This means that if you report a crime to one particular police man, you have to find that officer again in order to complete the process. Also, if you reach an agreement with the commanding officer you have to get to the new officer to reestablish any standing orders. Additionally, once you establish a relationship of confidence in one officer, if he is moved, all "intelligence" and sources are lost. ....... Of course, you need to remember that I am only an honest OBSERVER of the process... can you imagine what the criminals inside of the system see? A vagrant, who was accused of thief, was held by a police officer and brought to the Portmore Police Station. Many hours later he was still waiting to be processed and soon night fell. fearful, he decided to leave the station. He walked out of the station and eventually came by my house asking for assistance with bus fare to flee to Spanish Town. After hearing his pleas of innocence, I refused to aid him knowing I would be committing a crime by helping him to leave the area, so I offered to carry him back to the station and to ensure justice for him. He strongly refused this offer and INSISTED that he would not return to the station as he was 100% sure the Police would brutally beat him and then refuse to give him medical help. After much discussion with the vagrant I decided to telephone a friend so we could help this fellow out. When I returned to my gate from the phone call, the vagrant had disappeared. Now, I don't know if the story the vagrant told me is true, but it is clear We need to rethink our policing. Brute force is not enough... we need to use our brains! I have seen the vagrant many times since that day.... safe, sound and free. It appears that even the vagrant can outwit a weak system. ***ADVT.******************************************** *** *** *** Lees Fifth Avenue *** *** *** *** 'Visit us online at' *** *** http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** ############################################################ 2. Valentines with a Difference. ############################################################ "Valentines with a Difference" The Portmore Pines Women's Club invites you to Our Wine & Cheese Party on Saturday February 14, 2004 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Park Complimentary Wine and Cheese, Love Songs galore, Refreshments on sale, A raffle will be drawn, Special Guest Artist will be there! Admission: $100 Part proceeds in Aid of Dare to Care {--------------=======---------------} %%%*%%---- ----%%*%%% %%*%%%*%%-- The Portmore Pines Women's Club --%%*%%%*%% %%%*%%---- ----%%*%%% {--------------=======---------------} "Caring and Sharing with a purpose" To see to the welfare and well being of all residents of Portmore Pines and its environment and to foster good community relations ############################################################ 3. Great new items on the Portmore Website - You will love it! ############################################################ The Portmore Website has been updated with great new historical pictures of Portmore! We have pictures taken from 1890s in Portmore! We have pictures of Portmore in the 1950s We have pictures of Mr Seaga on the new causeway bridge. We have pictures of Independence City when it was started. See them at http://www.portmore.org/history/index ***AdVT.******************************************** *** *** *** Lees Fifth Avenue *** *** *** *** 'Visit us online at' *** *** http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** Also there are pictures of activities in 2003-4 There are pictures of 2 North citizens talking of crime There is the Greater Portmore Joint Council's "70" night. There are pictures of Accidents, Maxie Department Store Opening, the 8 West Christmas Treat, Municipal Christmas Tree Lighting, Municipal Council meetings, and Highway2000 in Portmore. See them at http://www.portmore.org/album/index ############################################################ 4. Portmore Week Schedule - April 25 - May 2, 2004 ############################################################ PORTMORE WEEK SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES April 25 - May 2, 2004 Sunday, April 25 - Start Day * Church Service in the morning * Civic Ceremony at portmore HEART Academy - 4 p.m. * Finals of Portmore Domino League Monday April 26 - Environmental Day Tuesday, April 27 - Education Day Wednesday, April 28 - Economic Development Day * Tour of Portmore by Officials * Community Forum at HEART Academy 6 p.m. Friday, April 30 - EXPO DAy * PORTMORE EXPO (4 pm. - 10 pm.). Booths are $10-15,000 Saturday May 1 * Health Fair at Christian Pen Health Center * Sports Spectacular at Ascot High * Wheel-A-Thon (Wheelchair race) from Edgewater to Ascot High * Kiddies Treat at the Portmore Mall * Street Dance at the Portmore Mall Sunday May 2 * Portmore Expo ends Saturday May 8 - Awards Day * Portmore Awards Banquet For more information please call Portmore's first lady Mrs. Aneita Lee at 988-4755 ***AdVT.******************************************** *** *** *** RBTT BANK JAMAICA *** *** *** *** We are coming to Portmore *** *** http://www.rbtt.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** [-----------------------THE END OF ENTRIES------------------------] Legal Notices - Please read 1. This newsletter makes NO guarantees of accuracy nor authorship. 2. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, and do NOT represent the views of any Political Party or Community Organisation. 3. Commercial publication of this newsletter needs the express consent of the webmaster in writing. 4. Copy Rights are owned by Kennedy Reid General Notes - Please read 1. Please copy this newsletter to as many persons as you may, However, please do not alter the contents. 2. To read our past newsletters go to http://www.portmore.org/newsletters/index.html 5. This newsletter is an open forum so please feel free to send us your contributions. We do NOT edit your letters, but may delete sections that can not be published. Deleted sections will be noted. Private e-mail addresses are deleted from letters and if you ask, we will delete your name! The Webmaster may comment on your contribution, but reserves the last word for you. Write to webmaster@portmore.org or rhouse@cybervale.com "Why be ordinary?" - KR [--------------------------THE END--------------------------------]