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Intelligence Bureau (NIB), captured images of men wearing bullet proof vests;
men with night vision goggles; men piling sandbags; men with rifles and men
keeping look out. Women were also seen watching the barricading in progress.
3.47.
Fortification of Tivoli Gardens was swift and comprehensive.
Intelligence available to the JCF and JDF on a continuing basis was to the effect
that, in the days leading up to 24 May, some 300 gunmen from all over Jamaica
and loyal to Coke, had migrated into Tivoli Gardens and other parts of West
Kingston. They had come to assist Coke and local gang members in resisting
any attempt by the security forces to enter the Tivoli Gardens’ community and
arrest Coke.
3.48.
CDS Saunders’ witness statement at paras.9, 12 and 13, paints a
clear picture of the manner in which Tivoli Gardens was fortified to repel the
security forces and the importation into Tivoli Gardens of a large number of
gunmen. The relevant paragraphs of the witness statement are set out
in
extensor
at Chapter 5.
21 MAY – PRELIMINARY MOBILISATION BY JDF
3.49.
Meanwhile, on 21 May, the respective roles of 1JR and 2JR were
clearly determined. 1JR would create a buffer around Tivoli Gardens and
“establish the conditions for 2JR to execute its mission of apprehending Coke
without being affected by criminal elements external to Tivoli”, according to
para.15 of Lt. Col. Ogilvie’s witness statement.
3.50.
The primary task of 2JR was to provide support for the JCF in
apprehending Coke.
3.51.
On 21 May, a platoon from Bravo Company of 1JR was deployed to
the Metcalfe Street Operational Centre (MSOC) in order to be in position to
secure and deploy from that location as ordered.