Jamaica – 31 Oct 2005 - Bulbie is Dead

This article demonstrates some of the problems facing Jamaican society. Certain criminals become so powerful that they run the neighbourhood. In fact, many are treated like heroes by the locals, as they provide things that the government does not.

You can see the depth of the problem in this quote from the article:

Bennett's name, or more so his nickname, 'Bulbie', as well as his goings-on, came to national prominence when Robinson, then a ruling People's National Party (PNP) Parliamentarian for South St Catherine, used him as a metaphor for the emerging politically-aligned "dons", about whose dangers she warned and from whom she told her parliamentary colleagues to stay away.
Robinson, in the sectoral debate, related how Bennett had sought her patronage and sponsorship to become the "leading don in Jamaica", but told the House she was incapable of giving birth to a 'don"….

Robinson resigned from the legislature the following year over a rift between herself and PNP councillors in her constituency over the kinds of persons with whom they were willing to be associated. (bold mine)

When the garrison communities were set up, it was political strongmen who ran the communities to ensure the people voted for them. This would be done using the carrot and the stick. Lately, criminals are getting so rich through drug smuggling, that they are trying (and seeming to be successful) at buying politicians, as is implied in the above bold portion.

Nothing is in the papers yet, but on the TV news this morning the first 15 minutes spoke about rioting in the area, with the general sentiment being from the local people being “Yes, he was a criminal, but he protected us and gave us stuff. There was no reason for the police to shoot him”. Rioting in Jamaica usually means people blocking traffic and burning tires/garbage. Perhaps some gunfire.

Tomorrow I will see what is up and post details about the riots.