NCJ Number
148885
Journal
Nation Dated: (November 13, 1989) Pages: 567-569
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Since 1984 when U.S. law enforcement authorities began to track them, Jamaican posses have killed more than 1,400 people nationwide (as of 1989); posses such as the Renkers and the Shower have spread from Jamaica to Florida and New York.
Abstract
The Renkers posse began as a Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) posse during the 1980 election campaign of Edward Seaga. The Shower posse also worked for the JLP and Seaga, and profits from marijuana sales in Miami and New York enabled the posse to purchase guns for the JLP. In Jamaican politics generally, local members of Parliament often funnel jobs, money, and guns to their constituents through gangs. In addition, police operate "eradication squads" for political objectives. Human rights organizations now monitor police brutality in Jamaica. In the United States, Jamaican posses have changed from primarily political gangs to cocaine syndicates as well. They still keep old party vendettas alive and old loyalties intact. Specific operations of Jamaican posses are described.