Newsmaker: Mixed views on senior cop’s ‘no permit’ decision re artiste

This week's featured overall development as Newsmaker of the Week just ended is the range of reactions to the decision by the St James police not to approve permits for events which includes trap-dancehall artiste Eddy G Bomba, whose song, 'No Cap', promotes the mowing down of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who are on traffic duties.

The artiste has been facing intense criticism from the police personnel and members of the public, while on the flip side, persons are lambasting the police for not supposedly taking any similar stance against other entertainers who promote violence in their music, but are still allowed to perform at entertainment events locally.

In the latest developments on the matter, Eddy G Bomba told a local newspaper on the weekend that persons should not judge him based on one song.

He argued that his catalogue of songs is "much bigger" than his controversial song, 'No Cap'.

The line of the song which has gone viral and caused much controversy since its release, reads: “Betta move yuh speeda gun, the beast a cum, mi wi lick dung police a grung".

The stance that has been taken by the St James police to not issue permits for any event including the artiste is a direct reaction to the recent tragic death of one of their colleagues, Constable Linroy Codner, who died last Sunday at Falmouth Hospital in Trelawny, where he was hospitalised in critical condition after being mowed down by a motorist in Granville, St James on Friday, October 4.

While addressing members of the media on Tuesday, head of the St James police, Superintendent Eron Samuels, said: "I personally will not approve of that artiste performing anywhere in St James, I can tell you that much.

"Because (of) the emotions that will be evoked by police officers, I don’t think it will be right for us losing a member in such a manner and giving support to that kind of song," Samuels elaborated then.

On Friday, Samuels reiterated his position, but clarified that Eddy G Bomba has not been banned from performing in the parish.

He said police officers are refusing to work at events where the artiste will be performing, so no permits will be granted for such entertainment events as a result of the expected absence of police personnel.

"Police have no power to ban an artiste from performing; however, I will not be granting a permit when this artiste is booked for a show in St James for one main reason.

"My police officers have made it clear that they are unwilling to work on a private basis if this artiste is scheduled for a show, or to perform at an event in St James," Samuels indicated.

He said the police have a private security arrangement in place where off-duty police officers are paid to work at entertainment events.

"These police officers have made it clear that they will not perform (work) at an event where somebody is openly insinuating that persons should hit them (the police) down while they are doing their lawful duty (and) trying to protect the citizens of this country," Samuels indicated.

He said he "stands with these police officers" in respect of their collective decision.

File photo of police on patrol duties.

It was reported that on Friday, October 4, the police were conducting a roadblock exercise along the Granville main road in the vicinity of St Johns, when Constable Codner signalled the driver of a white Toyota Probox motorcar to stop.

The driver reportedly slowed down and upon reaching close to the police officer, sped up, hitting the cop and sending him over a precipice that was said to be some 50 to 70 feet deep.

Codner was rescued from the precipice and taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St James, then was later transferred to the Falmouth Hospital in neighbouring Trelawny, where he was admitted until he died.

Eddy G Bomba has now found himself in a situation where he is likely to face several show cancellations in St James.

"Mi feel a way 'bout dat. Mi feel like dem just a look smaddy fi blame," the artiste was quoted as saying in the newspaper article.

He argued that persons who are now critical of the 'No Cap' song have not taken the time to listen to his other songs.

Debate raged on social media over the St James police's declaration that they will not give permits for events which include the artiste.

"Man (Eddy G Bomba) never say him a guh lick dung police a grung... Dawg say him wi dweet... jus precautionary measure, police dem fi easy," a man wrote on Instagram.

"Look how much song a say shoot ppl (people) and it nuh get banned," he added.

Similarly, dancehall artiste Devin Di Dakta made the point that, "Di man (Eddy G Bomba) never say him dweet; him say him wi dweet."

In response, a male Instagrammer said: "@devindidakta, the intent alone is very dangerous, and he (Eddy G Bomba) clearly state that he will commit the act."

Devin Di Dakta

A woman shared that while she is a "lover of dancehall music", she cannot "defend" any artiste who incites violence against the police.

"As a deejay, you should be mindful what you sing, and this attitude of the current crop of artistes to be arrogant and glorify criminality is dangerous to say the least," she argued further.

A man on Instagram said he supported the decision of the St James police.

"There must be respect for our police officers. They should have gone further to charge anyone who openly supports the idea (of hitting down police officers)," he contended.

Another man, in responding to the particular comments, asked the user: "What about the artiste who sing lyrics that glorify killings???"

On Facebook, a man said he hoped the restriction on events which include Eddy G Bomba will be implemented in other parishes.

"Jamaica Constabulary Force I hope this goes for all parishes," he commented.

Another man, however, took a different view on the overall developments.

"The superintendent is out of order! Where did he get such power from? The country is run by law, not personal feelings," the male Facebook user argued.

He elaborated that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

"We cannot use personal feelings, animosity and prejudice to influence our judgment, or professional decisions. This senior officer needs to be reprimanded," the man stated.

Interestingly, another man pointed out that, "I am sure Bob Marley sang about "shooting the sheriff", but still performed in many concerts."

But amid the seeming defence of the artiste and his controversial song, a woman insisted that no police officer should be hit down while carrying out lawful duties.

"An officer is dead because of the same thing he's (Eddy G Bomba) instigating... Suppose someone was to propose the beating of artistes who sing gun lyrics? How would you feel?" the woman asked.

"The officers are doing their job. If as a motorist you aren't guilty when stopped, then defend yourself in front of a judge‼️" she suggested.

Another woman called on the JCF to also restrict other events that feature entertainers who promote violence in their music.

"The police dem fi ban all events that dem deejay ya go on and a promote scamming, fraud, obeah, gun and murder! Not just lick down police, everybody to get ban who sing any form a violence, and a so me feel," she stated.

A man, while responding to the woman's comments, reminded her that not just the current crop of artistes should be banned.

"A wonda if this lady know that music is art and a reflection of what happening in we country?

"If we going to ban all of that, let us ban the veteran reggae and dancehall singers who glorified underage sex too! I can call names of such singers who you all love, but it goes to show how Jamaicans are low-keyed hypocrites," the man opined.