Gaps 7G Says ‘Don’t Brutalize The People With New Police DRMA Rules’

New York-based dancehall artist Gaps 7 G has expressed concern over an announcement made by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) that police officers can now immediately arrest persons who are found to be in breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) without warning.

“This move is just setting up the police force to brutalize the public more. Even before this announcement, the police were terrorizing ghetto communities who were playing water war. Water war? What about fighting real crime? This week, police thump out a man’s teeth because he wasn’t wearing his mask. Wah dat fah?  This COVID-19 is being used as a big distraction to brutalize and terrorize the people. The people have rights, no one is doing that in the US where we have had a terrible death toll so it is wrong,” he said.

Gaps 7g pointed to a recent announcement by federal health officials said Tuesday that fully vaccinated people can go without masks outdoors when walking, jogging or biking, or dining with friends at outdoor restaurants.

“The rest of the world is opening up, people who have been vaccinated can now roam after a year of masking up and locking down. How will our local police know whether someone who is walking around without a mask is fully vaccinated or not? Thousands of Jamaicans are now fully vaccinated.  The US scientists are  saying vaccinated people can walk around without masks, so why the government want to set up the police to beat up and accost citizens? Jamaican people aren’t children. It don’t make no sense!” he said.

As of Tuesday this week, the daily positivity rate logged at 10.8 per cent, representing one of the lowest since January 2021. The seven-day moving average (April 21-27) for the positivity rate now stands at 16.3 per cent.  The Ministry of Health & Wellness is now vaccinating persons who are 40 years and older and who suffer from one or more co-morbid conditions; persons 50 years and older; and members of the public who are employed to the transport sector in Jamaica.

However, the rising death toll pushed lawmakers to amend the DRMA to further curtail the spread of COVID-19. The police cautioned that those found in breach of the measures can now be arrested and charged immediately.

Aside from the press release, the JCF has also warned on its Instagram page in a public advisory, that persons are urged to adhere to the DRMA to avoid prosecution.
The US-based artiste has already been inoculated in New York where he presently resides.

“I fully support the vaccination drive in my beloved Jamaica, and I am urging entertainers to get vaccinated because we have to earn our living in crowded places, clubs, and parties. We can’t mislead the people, it is the only way to stop this virus,” he said.
He is now promoting his latest single, Vaccination, which will be released on the Chase Mills Records label on May 7 via VPAL.

Gaps 7G (given name Paul Cardoza Jr) is known for songs including Di Benz remix featuring Rytikal and Do Di Right Thing. He grew up in Gutters, Old Harbour, St Catherine, before migrating to the United States at age 10. He acquired an associate degree in liberal arts, majoring in physical education.

Other songs include Classic and another banger called A Fi Mi Place.