We invite the member of parliament for East Central St Catherine to visit the Gravel Hill community and speak with the residents and set up programmes to empower the community.

It is said "when there is peace in the home, there is peace in the community, when there is peace in the community, there is peace in the in the nation." Make your community feel happy and worthy! Give them a reason to hope. It's called education, usefulness and work.

The police cannot fix Gravel Hill, nor any other community for that matter. We must help the police department and they must help us. We cannot go around blaming the police for everything constantly.

When was the last time that a community police meeting was held in the community? That arm of our society needs to be feeling worthy too, we can't just use them and abuse them when we wish.

It's a two-way street, the community must respect the police and the police must respect the community.

Time to heal wounds

It is high time for healing the wounds of both sides in Spanish Town and its environment and this can only be achieved by beginning to remove the social toxins and engage the entire community and that means both sides; the police is part of the community.

I'd like to use this opportunity to say to the people of Gravel Hill that as the year ends, it is my wish that you find the hope for which you are searching, remove the fear that is so deep and hold on to each other.

Don't be pushed out of your community, and to the people who are doing the pushing out - I would also address you - you are loved, truly loved too, and that which you lack can be found right inside of you, so look for it, let your beauty and love shine through and break the spell of darkness that would seek to overshadow your greatness.

If you cannot manage by yourself in solving what you perceive to be difficult then call someone, talk to your MP, your councillor or someone close to you.

Can you imagine going to the very people you pushed out and apologising and asking for their partnership in making your community better? I wish for all of you the song of hope and the beauty of restoration. A very hopeful and happy holiday season.

I am, etc.,

ROSEMARIE GREENE

Spanish Town Citizens

Against Gun Violence

spntwncitizensagv@

cwjamaica.com

2 Hanover Street

Spanish Town,

St Catherine