The intersection of Spanish Town Road and Collie Smith Drive provided the perfect pavilion for scores of persons who wanted to watch the developments in west Kingston from a safe distance yesterday.

From just before 8 a.m., several young men were seen pushing debris on to Spanish Town Road just metres from the Denham Town Police Station.

As journalists and residents of the adjoining communities of Rema and Trench Town looked on, a group of about 10 armed men were seen making their way into the May Pen Cemetery as two police vehicles approached the roadblock.

Suddenly, gunfire sounded, causing the policemen to rush into the Denham Town Police Station.

With the police out of the way, the men resumed the mounting of their blockade in earnest.

A minivan - which was in a garage to be repaired - old refrigerators, washing machines, bathtubs and a garbage skip were quickly pulled into the usually busy roadway, forcing motorists to beat a hasty retreat.

constant watch

As if that were not enough, the militants piled sandbags at the two sides and dumped sand into the empty fridges and bathtubs.

At the same time, men on foot patrolled the area with what appeared to be high-powered weapons, while others stood guard atop nearby buildings.

While that was happening, several men from Rose Town and other communities aligned to Tivoli Gardens made their way in motor vehicles, bicycles and on foot to the barricade, where they were given a warm welcome.

"We affi go support di 'President' an' tek on dem police 'bout deh," said one man, reportedly from Spanish Town, St Catherine, as he smoked a big marijuana cigarette and made his way behind the barricade.

'President' refers to west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, whose warrant for arrest has sparked gun violence across sections of the capital.

Others looked determined as they passed the Collie Smith Drive and Spanish Town Road intersection without as much as a glance at the persons gathered there.

"Mek sure unnu get di story right or we a go turn pon unnu," one man said repeatedly, while pointing to journalists.

Others looked on threateningly whenever the cameras were pointed in their direction.

But through it all, residents of Rema and Trench Town welcomed the journalists with open arms as they made it clear that they were not involved in the dispute.

"Dem down deh so a do dem ting and we not involved, so a hope unnu see it and report say Rema man never involve," one particularly vocal man said, as he assured members of the media that they were welcome in the south St Andrew community.

But hours later, other men, reportedly from Rose Town, made it clear that media representatives had overstayed their welcome and suggested strongly that the cameras should not be pointed in their direction or, better yet, that journalists should leave as their safety was not guaranteed.