ENGLISH A

(School Based Assessment)

“THE EFFECT OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE ON THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF

THE SAVANNA-LA-MAR AREA”.

Name: Daville Gracey

Candidate number:

Institution: Prospect College

Center number: 100183

Territory: Jamaica

Year of examination: 2022

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Teacher: Mrs. Brown-Bailey

Table of Contents

 Plan of Investigation………………………….…………………… 3

Materials:

 Material 1…………………………………………………………. 4-7

 Material 2………………………………………………………… 8-11

 Material 3………………………………………………………… 12

 Reflection: Entry 1……………………………………………….. 13

 Reflection: Entry 2………………………………………………. 14-15

 Reflection: Entry 3………………………………………………. 16

 Participation Measure…………………………………………… 17-18

 Group Report……………………………………………………. 19-20

 Plan for Oral Presentation……………………………………….. 21

 Oral Presentation………………………………………………… 22

 Bibliography……………………………………………………... 23

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 PLAN OF INVESTIGATION

The topic for the researcher English SBA is “The effects of crime and violence on the

lives of the residents of the Savanna-La-Mar area”. The researcher has chosen this topic because

he has first-hand experience with crime and violence and has seen how it can and has affected

his life and the lives of people around him.

The researcher is of the belief that as a student of English, while

conducting this SBA he will further develop his investigative skills which he believe will help

him in his future endeavors in particular his post-secondary academics. The researcher intends to

collect information through the use of primary sources such as: Questionnaires and interview as

well as secondary sources such as: Markets log books and businesses sales records. The

researcher will then deploy his skills in observation, interpreting, and data analysis when

conducting his SBA.

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 MATERIALS

1. ARTICLE: SAV UNDER PRESSURE

Thursday, April 26, 2018

BY HORACE HINES

Observer West reporter

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Newly appointed Divisional Commander for the

Westmoreland Police Division, Superintendent Gary McKenzie, has been greeted by a

baptism of fire in the parish, which has registered approximately 50 murders since the

start of the year.

A senior policeman told the Jamaica Observer West that lawmen strongly believe that Monday

night's brutal killing of 29-year-old Kameka Harding at her Dallin Street, Savanna-la-Mar home,

was triggered by a feud between rival factions from that community and Dester Street, both

located in the Westmoreland capital.

This came after the entire nation was still grappling to come to terms with the killing of Godfrey

Stewart High School student 18-year-old Stefan Beckford after gunmen sprayed his home in the

Russia section of Savanna-la-Mar with bullets. His mother, who was at home at the time of the

attack, was also shot and injured.

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Following that shooting, former People's National Party's councillor for the area, Milton Miles,

argued that the killing was “a reflection of what is happening in Savanna-la-Mar”.

“When I reflect on what is happening in Savanna-la-Mar, it is very, very sad. When I reflect on

what is happening, I think we have lost about eight young men in recent times who have been

killed, who have not been buried yet. And I ask the question, how many more will be killed

before we can have a peaceful society?” he questioned.

Emily Lawrence Ricketts, principal of Godfrey Stewart High, also bemoaned that crime in

Savanna-la-Mar is seriously affecting young people in the parish.

“What I am hoping for is that the violence that we are seeing in our community is stopped; our

young men are dying. Promising young men who have a lot to contribute to Jamaica. I am

saddened, really saddened by this experience,” she said with strong emotions in her voice. “I am

just tired of this. It has reached our address at 4 Lewis Street. I am tired of the violence. Our

young people are dying and we need to do something now about it.”

Superintendent McKenzie told the Observer West earlier this week that among top priorities is

to restore law and order in communities that are overrun by criminals.

“There are three main areas: the Savanna-la-Mar space, which includes the Dester, Dallin Street

areas; and Morgan's Bridge (police area), which includes Frome, Little London to a lesser extent;

and Negril, especially Red Ground, and we have to focus on the West End to a lesser extent in

that particular space,” McKenzie informed.

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“From the start of the year there have been some instances where we have some criminal issues

and that is basically said to be perpetrated by gangs in certain areas in the parish.”

He added that separate from the feuding factions in the troubled Westmoreland communities, the

police in the parish have had to be grappling with imported shooters and displaced thugs.

“So apart from those criminals within those areas, there are those criminals who have been

displaced from elsewhere, as well as there are instances where people are imported to carry out

certain criminal acts. So those are some of the issues that we will have to deal with,” said the

new Westmoreland divisional commander.

McKenzie has had some early success to his tenure — during his first week in office, a team

from the Westmoreland police pursued and was then engaged in a gun battle with Dwight Harty

in Darliston. Harty, who is originally from Kingston and who occupied a prominent place on the

police most wanted list, was fatally shot.

“Last week in particular as I came, we were able to actually track one of the main shooters in the

Savanna-la-Mar area, a man known as Dwight Harty, otherwise called 'Nutmeg' and 'Pop It Off'.

He was hiding out in the Darliston community. The police went there, he confronted them, and

he was shot and injured and subsequently died. He is actually from the Greenwich Town section

of Kingston,” McKenzie said.

“This is an example of one such criminal who was imported and has been playing the role of a

shooter, so we have some of these instances that we have to deal with and we are going to deal

with it.”

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The Westmoreland police chief then indicated that while the police will relentlessly pursue

criminals, another major element of stamping out crime and violence is to oversee the social

transformation of the gritty inner-city communities, which form almost a hotbed for criminals.

“We can't just go after gangsters and seek to recover guns. We have to look at what is happening

in the communities in terms of the social aspects, the mindset of the people and the different

issues that actually exist,” McKenzie argued.

“We recognize it is not about people being at loggerheads with each other and are poor, and they

are in conflict, we know that (some of) these conflicts are driven by scamming, are driven by the

fact that there are illegal guns at play and people are actually fighting for spoils and for turf. So

as a result of all of those issues, we have to have a presence in the affected areas, but we also

have to focus on the families, the communities and we have to get out the individuals who do not

heed the call to change. We are hell-bent on getting the communities to realize that this

destruction, which is perennial, must stop, because we are human beings and we cannot live like

that.”

He noted, however, that the upsurge of crime in the parish “is really limited to a few sections”.

“So while we continue to serve other communities in an effective and professional way, we have

to be very strident, we have to be very firm, and at the same time be very professional and

courteous to all citizens, but we will not be shirking our main responsibility which is to ensure

that law and order are maintained and, of course, peace and tranquility,” McKenzie said.

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2. SONG: MI CYAAN SLEEP
Saturday, July 2, 2011

BY: ROMAIN VIRGO

JAMAICAN REGGAE SINGER

“Mi cyaan sleep” by singer Romain Virgo

Oh, oh, oh, oh, well

Oh yes

This is a serious time, violence and crime

And a pure gun thing

Di youths dem have 'pon dem mind, oh, oh

Dem buss it when rain a fall

Yuh nuh see seh dem nuh care dem ya youth ya

Buss it all when sun a shine, oh, oh

Yuh no see, you no see a bare juvenile

A lock up di big guns outta street

(And dem a buss it up, buss it up) Oh

Weh dem get it from, nobody know

Dem fadda was a killah

Well a see tun and grow, oh, oh

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And now mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A pure gunshot a beat

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A pure blood inna di street

Dem nuh youth ya a no play (no)

Every single day

Dem have it 'pon dem waist

And if yuh talk too hard

Den dem shoot out your face

(Dem buss it up, buss it up)

Tell me what a gwaan

Mi a beg unnu keep it calm

Cah you?? nuh a real and kick up and a gwaan

It's like a gun stop

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

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A pure gunshot a beat

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A pure blood inna di street

Bring back Jamaica

Inna di time when everything was fine

(Bring back the love)

'Cause all the tries some a try fi show love

It seems like the rest a dem blind

(Dem outta dem mind)

All rude bwoy to bust a gun

Put dung di Glock and di nine

'Cause unno kill missa chin and mass brown

And turn the whole place inna ghost town

And now mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A pure gunshot a beat

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

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Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A pure blood inna di street

Cah this a serious time, violence and crime

And a pure gun thing

Di youths dem have 'pon dem mind

(A dem a buss it up, buss it up) Oh

Dem buss it when rain a fall

Yuh nuh see seh dem nuh care dem ya youth ya

Buss it all when sun a shine

(An' dem a buss it up, buss it up) Oh, oh

And now mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A peer gunshot a beat

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

A peer blood inna di street

Cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

No matter how mi try fi dweet

Mi cyaan sleep (cyaan sleep)

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3. Cartoon Extract

Saturday, July 2, 2011

BY: JAMAICA OBSERVER

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 REFLECTION ENTRY 1

The researcher found an article from the Jamaica Observer entitled "Sav under Pressure,"

written by Horace Hines. This material has influenced and given the researcher a better

understanding of how the crime and violence taking place in Savanna-La-Mar is affecting the

residents as well as the schools in that area. This article has also shaped the researcher’s thinking

in that criminal activities around that area are mainly as a result of acts of vengeance or payback.

The second piece of material that was accumulated by the researcher was a song entitled

"Cyaan Sleep" by singer Romain Virgo. The lyrics of the song primarily divulge information

about the youths of Jamaica "bussing the glocks and the nines; anywhere and anytime," causing

the residents to sleep restlessly at night. This state of unease has left the residents scared as they

aren’t aware of where the bullets are coming from nor where they are going.

The third and final material is a cartoon extract displaying gangsters having a shootout in

the presence of a lady and her child, which represents the public. This cartoon has shown the

researcher that ruffians are very bold and heartless when doing their wrongs. The public, which

consists of both adults and children, are right there and they are still shooting the guns,

seemingly not caring about where the bullets may end up, demonstrating a total disregard for the

lives of innocent citizens.

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 REFLECTION ENTRY 2

In the article entitled "Sav under Pressure" by Horace Hines, the predominant tones the

researcher observed on display were distress, dismal, and anger. The researcher identified that

the register used by the writer was formal and the language was standard Jamaican English. The

researcher points out many figurative devices used in the article, two of which are metaphor and

personification. An example of personification is seen immediately in the title of the article "Sav

under pressure." The figurative device is used effectively to further emphasize that the entire

Savanna-La-Mar area is engulfed in the effects of crime and violence. The metaphor was then

identified in the second to last paragraph: "We recognize it is not about people being at

loggerheads." The metaphor is used effectively as it perfectly demonstrates the degree of

stubbornness being shown by the residents when their heads are compared to the shell of a

loggerhead turtle.

The second material used by the researcher is a song entitled "Cyaan Sleep" by Romain

Virgo. The predominant tones in this song observed by the researcher were compassion and

uneasiness. The researcher, upon listening to this song, identified that the register used by the

singer was informal and the language was Jamaican creole. The two figurative devices that are

seen as the most clearly identifiable are repetition and hyperbole. The first figurative device is

repetition, and repetition can be seen throughout the entire song, particularly in the use of "Mi

cyaa sleep." However, it is used many times throughout the song to emphasize the restlessness

and unease he is feeling about the situation. The second figurative device identified by the

researcher was hyperbole. An example of this can be seen in line 17 when the singer said, "A

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pure blood inna the streets." This figurative device is used effectively as it is to emphasize the

fact that there are a lot of killings taking place around him.

The final material used by the researcher was a cartoon extract obtained from the

Observer. The predominant tones displayed by the cartoonist are tragedy, distress, and anger.

The figurative device most prominent in the cartoon extract was onomatopoeia, and this is

clearly shown with the highlighted graphic "Bam Bam, Bram Bram". The figurative device is

effectively used as it clearly demonstrates to the viewer that the sounds made by guns firing were

present.

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 REFLECTION ENTRY 3

This SBA has helped the researcher in many ways, helping to hone the necessary

research skills that he will continue to need as he furthers his education. The researcher has, as a

result of this SBA broaden his vocabulary, developed and summarizing skills which he knows

will aid in his CSEC exams in the near future. The researcher has also enhanced his skills in

comprehension, an area in which he was not proficient in.

The researcher has learnt a great deal about his topic of interest throughout the

investigation. He has learnt about the struggles people around his county are facing as a result of

crime and violence. Through the group work aspects of this SBA, it has taught the researcher

how to plan and manage his time as well as break complex tasks into steps and segments.

Throughout the group process, the researcher realized that his time management skills were

inadequate however, through conducting this research he solved that problem thereby making

him an overall better student as a result of this SBA.

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 Participation Measure

Rating Criteria Preliminary Student’s Record of Final Rating

Rating Teacher’s 1 – Agree

1 – Agree Comments/Suggestions 0 – Uncertain

0 – Uncertain -1 - Disagree

-1 - Disagree

I know what I am

expected to do to 1 1

work well in a team.

It is easy to focus on

what is taking place 1 1

in my group

In the group, I feel

self-confidence, self- 1 1

esteem and self-

efficacy.

I know how to

manage how I behave 1 1

in the group

I always manage my

tasks on time and 1 1

thoroughly.

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 Total: 5/5 Total: 5/5

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 Group/Written Report

The theme explored by the five group members was "Crime and Violence". The topics

investigated under the theme were "The effects of crime and violence on the lives of the

residents of the Savanna-La-Mar area", "Violence against women", "Violence against children",

"The effects of crime and violence in the parish of St. Mary" and "The impact of crime and

violence left on the youths of the Spanish Town area."

The process of SBA investigation had numerous difficulties, but the five members sat and

conceptualized, dug deep, and found a solution to complete the investigations.

The group members chose four materials: an article titled "Sav under pressure" by Horace

Hines, a song titled "Dutty Man" by Romaine Virgo, a cartoon snippet obtained from the Jamaica

Observer, and a poem titled "Violence against women" by Herbert Logerie.

Even though Hines appears disturbed about the situation in the article, it is evident that

the writer's register was formal and the language was Standard Jamaican English. The second

piece of material chosen was a song by Romaine Virgo, who was enraged by the idea that big

men were disparaging the young child, prompting him to use colloquial language (Jamaican

creole). The third piece picked was a cartoon extract in which a mom and her child were terrified

of ruffians shooting uncontrolled guns at each other. The extract's predominant tones are tragedy,

despair, and fury. Finally, there was a poem by Herbert Logerie that expressed displeasure with

what is going on in society with women in both traditional and contemporary generations. It is

apparent that he was enraged, which is why the poem was written in a semi-formal tone.

The materials chosen by the investigators were chosen because they best matched the group

theme as well as each individual investigator's topic.

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 All group members believed the article "Sav under pressure" was very realistic, and that

the topic was appropriate because Savanna-La-Mar was under a lot of pressure from crime and

violence. The second material chosen was a song entitled "Dutty man" by Virgo; 4 out of the 5

group members thought the material was ideal for the topic "Violence against children" because

he was speaking about grown men harming young children in the song, however 1 group

member disagreed. The third piece of evidence is a cartoon extract obtained from

the observer. all group members agreed that the artwork clearly illustrates that violence was

rampant in the area where the woman was, with her child. Finally, three group members

considered the type of treatment indicated in the poem links to the topic Violence against women

as well as the theme Crime and Violence, while the other two thought the poetry didn't relate to

the topic as strongly.

Every group member has learned something important from the SBA. For example,

researcher 1 has learned about the difficulties that people in his country face as a result of crime

and violence, researchers 2 and 3 have learned the importance of teamwork, and researcher 4 has

learned that violence against children occurs both inside and outside of the home.

All group members agreed that the SBA procedure was difficult and time consuming, but

by working as a team, they were able to persevere and complete the investigation.

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 PLAN FOR ORAL PRESENTATION

 Theme: Crime and Violence

 Topic: The effect of crime and violence on the lives of the residents of the Savanna-La-

Mar area.

 Genre: Poem

 Type of Poem: Free Verse

 Why did you choose this genre? The researcher picked this genre because poetry is

something the researcher enjoys and has used to express oneself in situations such as this.

 Register used: Formal

 Why did you choose this register? The formal register was chosen because it is more

suitable, simpler to grasp, and better for presenting information to others

 How did your materials inspire the content of the oral presentation? The materials inspire

the content since all of the objects depict crime and violence, which is the fundamental

topic of the poem. The materials essentially demonstrate the impact that crime may have

on others and how crimes can make humans feel. Material 2 discussed how the bussing of

firearms prevents people from sleeping, which contrasts with the fact that the researcher

wrote in his poetry about ruffians bussing guns in February, April, and May, which

indicates how frequently the guns are bussed and what the bussing of guns may cause.

 What is your Oral presentation? The oral presentation is primarily about crime or harmful

things that are happening around him or in the lives of other citizens.

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 Oral Presentation

Violence must be stopped

For it is something that will get you in a trap,

Crime is something that is not acceptable

I wish nothing more than these ruffians to be sensible,

To hear humanity cry over a love one is so sad

Young men are committing crime just to be classes as bad,

Crime rates are rising rapidly they go

Some of these offenders need to calm like my classmate Mr. Rowe,

Guns are bussing like fireworks on New Year’s Day

They buss it in February, April and also May,

The morgue and hospitals are begging for no more

For all this dilemma and madness is uncalled for,

Stores are crying no more breaking in

They sat there patiently on when to run in,

Let’s just pray that the world can become a better place

For when God comes for his earth they all will pay.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hines Horace. “Sav under pressure.” The Jamaica Observer. April 26, 2018.
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/observer-west/sav-under-pressure-imported-criminals-others-
suffocating-several-savanna-la-mar-communities-as-new-police-commander-takes-over_131521

Virgo Romaine “Cyaa Sleep”. VP penthouse, Vikings Production. YouTube. July 2, 2011.
https://youtu.be/bqWCOp8F7iY

Cartoon Extract. The Jamaica Observer. January 3, 2018.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/tools/cartoons/20180103

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