Several residents of Yellow Elder Gardens said yesterday that crime in the area is out of control and they are increasingly fearful of becoming victims of crime. Several of the 69 murders this year were committed in Yellow Elder Gardens. Inez McKenzie, a resident of Derby Road for 40 years, said she frequently hears gunshots and is often anxious, particularly at night. She said sometimes the gunshots are so close it sounds as if someone has opened fire in her home.

"You can hardly sleep," she told reporters on the porch of her home.

"You hear a shot one time and that is it for the night."

Scores of police officers conducted a walkabout yesterday in the area to reassure residents of their presence and the increased police initiatives in the community. Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, who led the officers door-to-door, said in the coming weeks police will conduct walkabouts in several other New Providence communities.

"This is just phase one, they will see a sustained effort. Residents in Yellow Elder should feel safe, they should feel free and their children should be able to run around in the community. We want to provide that kind of environment for them as we are mandated to do as law enforcement, but we realize that we cannot work in isolation."

While acknowledging that crime has become much more prevalent in his neighborhood, John Ferguson, a resident of 26 years, said he has faith that he will not be harmed.

"I did not even know it was this terrible in Yellow Elder, I did not know it was this bad," said the retired carpenter. "But I feel alright because I am on God's side. I am protected by God."

Rev. Dr. Yozier Roker said the community has changed significantly from the quiet community she once knew over two decades ago.
Her house has been robbed twice in the last few years.

"The adults were children when I came through here and I taught a number of them at Yellow Elder Primary School," Roker said. "So, that respect for people and property was there. Now that the new generation came along there is not much respect. A lot of people have moved away and the houses are rented, so actually sometimes you don't know who is actually living in those houses."

Before completing the walkabout, officers briefly oversaw the demolition of an abandoned building that was frequently used to store illegal guns and as a drop-off for drugs.

One resident who lives nearby said she heard people moving around in the building and felt that she was being watched when she got home.

"What I used to do is let my daughter get out, get to the door, open the door and hurry up and dash in," said Sharon Brown, a resident of 36 years.

"Tonight, I will sleep peacefully."

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