NCJ Number
129729
Journal
Boston Magazine Dated: (July 1987) Pages: 106-109,130-134
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Gangs or posses of Jamaican youths have brought to their American homes in cities including Boston the feuds and cycles of revenge that began in their native Kingston. Many of the quarrels originated in ongoing political disputes between the Jamaican Labor Party and the People's National Party. Despite party claims that they are not involved with the gangs, many posse members were probably armed by their respective parties with deadly 9-millimeter weapons.
Abstract
In the U.S. and Canada, many of the Jamaican gangs are involved in drug smuggling and have been accused by police of causing hundreds of murders and countless injuries. Because of the strong code of silence among posse members and other residents of Jamaican neighborhoods, police have not been able to infiltrate the groups or substantiate rumors that posse drug money is being sent back to Jamaica to strengthen the political parties there. Other sources believe that the American posses have abandoned their original political and social roles and operate for their own personal gain.