Following reports of severe absenteeism in several schools due to gang warfare in the Mountain View area, the East Kingston police say they are maintaining a presence in the communities to return normalcy to the area.

Head of the Kingston East division, Superintendent Victor Hamilton, says the police are on the ground, doing their best to keep the citizens of Pleasant Heights, Jarrett Lane and Oliver Road safe by putting the available resources in the area.

He says he is saddened to know that children are being prevented from attending school, as education is a valuable asset.

The superintendent says the police are doing all they can, and he is calling on parents and well thinking residents of the communities to stand up for their children and give the police the information that they seek.

He says community leaders including justices of the peace, church leaders and political representatives need to lend their voices to the fight against gangs in the communities.

Superintendent Hamilton says the police could do much more if citizens were brave enough to stand up for law and order by providing information.

He is urging residents to let criminals know they are not in agreement with the destruction of the community.

Warring factions in the Rockfort area have been trading bullets since the weekend.

This morning, schools in the area reported that up to 70 percent of students did not turn up for school in some instances.