Riot Police Patrol Jamaican Resort Town
By VIVIAN TYSON
May 4, 2003
NEGRIL, Jamaica (AP) - Police in full riot gear patrolled the streets of a
western resort town in Jamaica on Sunday, a day after a mob set fire to several
buildings.
The crowd was angered by the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot by a police
officer responding to a fruit vendor's complaint of boys throwing rocks at his
shop.
Police say the shooting was an accident but witnesses say it was deliberate and
on Saturday about 300 people gathered in this town for a protest that quickly
turned violent.
Demonstrators shattered windows at two banks, then threw firebombs through them.
They also set fire to convenience stores, initially preventing firefighters from
reaching the burning buildings.
No one was arrested but to prevent further violence, about 50 police officers in
full riot gear patrolled the streets on Sunday. Police said the strong presence
would last until at least Monday.
Some of Jamaica's premiere tourist resorts are in the area of Negril but they
were not affected by the violence, officials said.
Human rights groups have criticized frequent killings by Jamaican police. Last
year, 133 people were fatally shot by police, according to Amnesty
International. Forty-four people have been fatally shot by police this year,
authorities said.
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