31 / 494
30
2.42.
In our opinion, the history of prior conflicts and confrontations, the
tradition of distrust of the security forces, especially the JCF, the generally poor
relations between residents of Tivoli and the JCF, and the massing of armaments
by Coke and his loyalists, all served to inform the approaches by all sides in
2010.
Coke’s Relationship with Prime Minister Bruce Golding
2.43.
Coke was a strong supporter of and advocate for the Jamaica
Labour Party (JLP). Mr. Golding said that he knew Coke and had conversed with
him “a number of times, the last being in December 2007”. Mr. Golding said
that, about that time, the security forces informed him that they wanted certain
men in connection with serious crimes. The men were associated with the Stone
Crusher Gang and the information relayed to Mr. Golding was that the men were
hiding in Tivoli but the JCF was apprehensive about arresting them in Tivoli.
Mr. Golding testified that he sent an emissary to Coke with the information and
Coke replied that there were no such persons in Tivoli Gardens and, if they were
there, he would have known. We got the impression that after that incident
relations between the two men became less cordial, and it seems to us that
Mr. Golding thought that he had been deceived by Coke.
2.44.
Mr. Golding agreed that Coke was a “Don” who exerted
considerable influence in the community and the constituency. He explained the
concept of “Don” this way:
“A Don is a creature of communities in many parts of
Jamaica. He exerts considerable influence and commands
considerable support. Some Dons are heavily involved in
drug trafficking. In some communities they are called “Area
Leaders” and some of these are involved in criminality. Coke
had a reputation beyond West Kingston in several parts of
Jamaica.”