Residents of Tredegar Park, St Catherine, yesterday vented their frustration in a protest aimed at getting the relevant authorities to place a command post in the community.

Approximately 20-placard bearing residents began protesting at 10 a.m. along the main road leading into the community.

The protest comes after eight persons were slaughtered in the community by gunmen last week.

"We're in need of protection. We cannot continue like this, our children, elders and women are being killed," said Theresa Francis, president of the Tredegar Park Citizens' Association.

Francis told THE STAR a command post in the neighbouring Gravel Heights community has assisted in reducing crime in that area.

Other residents also supported the claim that the post helped to prevent the brazen and cruel actions of the gunmen.

more cooperative

During the protest, things got a bit heated when a senior police officer told the residents that they should be more cooperative with the police. "I cannot take the hypocrisy. Our intelligence suggest that you know the criminals, you need to give up the criminals to the police," Superintendent Newton Amos said.

Despite his concerns, Supt Amos later told THE STAR, "I will convey the residents' concerns to my superiors. the next step will then be decided."