Frustrated over the worsening crime situation, which has left several men from the Belmont community dead within recent weeks, residents are demanding the authorities step up their plan to apprehend gang members and get illegal weapons off the streets.
The calls followed Friday’s double murder of brothers Raymond Weekes, 47 and Andy Weekes, 37.
The men were shot around 4:30 pm on June 9, as they walked along Davis Street, Belmont.
They were said to have been on the way home from work when the shooting occurred.
The brothers lived at Upper Davis Street, Belmont.
Reports indicate the men had just begun walking up the narrow road leading to their home, when they were confronted by two masked men dressed in camouflage and carrying high-powered rifles, who opened fire on them.
Both men, who worked in construction, collapsed and died on the road.
An elderly woman who did not want to disclose her name, complained bitterly:
“We already living like prisoners in our own homes and imagine we can't even go to work and come back safe.”
She described the brothers as “decent boys”, adding that they had gone to make a day’s work when tragedy struck.
One man told Guardian Media he lives in fear, and more so when his grandchildren have to go to school, as he isn’t sure they will return safely.
“You could be going to work and school now or coming back home... and get pick up. I does be so ‘fraid for them, I does pray hard for them every day,” he said.
Other residents declined to speak with Guardian Media but complained of the crime situation generally, which they said was out of control.