While he said he was not surprised to hear about the latest act of violence against Jamaicans, Jamaican Honorary Consul Winston Laylor pleaded for his fellow countrymen not to react.

Mr. Laylor spoke to The Royal Gazette after a Pembroke man reported to Police that unknown gunmen fired shots into his Friswells Hill home during the early hours of Monday morning.

No one was hurt in the incident, but five men are now in Police custody assisting with inquiries.

“I was not surprised when I saw the article in the paper because there have been a series of confrontations between a sector of the Jamaican community and a sector of the Bermudian community,” Mr. Laylor said.

And, he said, he had heard of several incidents of physical attacks on Jamaicans in the Pembroke area.

“Most have gone unnoticed. And even if they were investigated, to my knowledge, they were not thoroughly investigated and the assailants escaped without any fines or arrests,” said Mr. Laylor.

While he admitted that not all Jamaicans on the Island were innocent, Mr. Laylor stressed that he and the Island's Jamaican community at large did not condone illegal behaviour.

“I believe that anyone who is a guest in anyone's country should adhere in full accordance of the laws in that country,” Mr. Laylor said.

When asked whether he had the power to ask unruly Jamaicans to leave the country, Mr. Laylor said while he did not, he was willing to assist the Department of Immigration and the Police in what ever way he could.

“I can avail myself to help diffuse the situation or remove any person or persons who are causing problems,” he said.

He also appealed for peace in the community and pleaded for Jamaicans to keep calm heads.

“I am appealing to all Jamaicans to restrain themselves although I know that they have reached the verge of retaliation,” Mr. Laylor said. “I ask them to allow these situations to be fully investigated by Police and other authorities.”

q Police detectives investigating Monday morning's shooting were conducting door-to-door inquiries last night in the Pembroke neighbourhood.

Led by Det. Ch. Insp. Stuart Crockwell, eight detectives spoke to residents in search of information connected to the shooting.

Police are also appealing to anyone who has information regarding this incident to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-4326 or the confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

Jamaican community speaks out - Page 9