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KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Jamaican police are concerned about a recent uptick of violence in a patchwork of slums in the capital.
A Monday statement says police intelligence suggests people claiming to be relatives of well-known gangsters who used to hold sway over West Kingston "have become involved in a deadly battle for control of the community."
Gangster Christopher "Dudus" Coke was the area's criminal kingpin until he was captured in 2010 and extradited to New York, where he was sentenced last year to 23 years for drug trafficking.
Police say there has been a recent rash of murders, shootings and robberies in West Kingston. They have deployed more officers there.
Authorities want to maintain gains in lowering Jamaica's violent crime rate. Last year, police recorded 1,087 killings, the lowest number in nine years.
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