If you stay in shit long enough, you will stop smelling it.
Our ravishing crime rate and stories of heartless murders, have desensitized us. With just 35 days in the year, over 156 murders have been committed. 156 murders, mean that on average 156 families have been impacted, with an average of 5 persons per household, that means 780 persons so far in 2018, have experienced the PAIN, HOPELESSNESS,and WHAT-IFS that come with losing someone . When we lose a loved one, we are bound to experience a few days of mourning, some lasting longer for others. Each person who has interacted with the now violently deceased will remember them, their hopes, their experiences and past, they will experience a whole lot of ‘if-only’s’.
This is part of the process, and then we all move on. Some of us don’t ever move on, as children are now left without a parent. The fabric of our families once again ripped to shreds, in some way at least for another generation.
CRIME IS A CYCLE OF PAIN
Crime generates loss, and loss leads its way to pain and too many what-ifs, which finds its way back to the decision of who/what is created after the loss, and if more often that not…leads to more crime, which generates more loss, and loss leads to pain…this is the unfortunate and unending cycle of Crime.
Corey was murdered alongside Simone Colleymore-Best
If you are anything like me…then your cab driver is more than just a driver. It’s the person you entrust with your safety, the person you will wait for even when they lie to you about how long it will take for them to reach your location. Your cab driver becomes your friend, a listening ear…even a shoulder to cry on. Corey, was my driver. He was very busy too as many other women preferred Corey to drive them around Kingston. You were guaranteed a smile on your face with Corey, and if it was one of those days when he was miserably and cussing, he made sure you had lots of candy and great music to enjoy. Corey, originated from Rockfort and we held many conversations about Kingston 2 the business opportunities, the culture, the youth and the guns. I listened beaming with pride of how he changed his own life, and eventually moved away from the influence of Rockfort, putting away his past and now earning money. We laughed about how peaceful it felt to wake up in the serene hills of Upper St. Andrew, where he now lived a happy family life with woman and kids, way above even the air of the drama. We talked about his struggles with buying his new car. He came out the car and posed on it, told me in jest to take his picture beside his brand new car…’Up di ting’. He told me how he did it, how he saved and passed funds through his bank account to get the bank to lend him the money to buy the car, as the banks don’t lend to people like him. He told me of his plans to pay off the 5 year loan in 2 years and buy another car to increase his fleet. He had dreams that were made into plans, that was being implemented. He was happy and his happiness, positivity and determination was infectious.
Corey was no coward, he was a shotta, he knew the badman, gunman life and was a typical Jamaican man…an interesting almost sporadic but entertaining mix of aggression and tenderness. Don’t mess Corey, ‘him ah puppy..him a lion’. So when, I heard that Corey was murdered in his car, I figured it could have been an issue of road rage that he wasn’t backing down from.
It was really a second level shock to find out that he was the taxi-driver murdered along with Simone Colleymore. I bet the bad-word he said wasn’t the usual smooth one, as he saw the men open fire on the car, he just saved to buy. I can bet his mind was on his kids and his wife, who he just bragged to me about, as they headed out to their all-inclusive weekend vacation.
Corey’s identity is not important to the Colleymore story, so much his name was never even mentioned.
Corey was a product of the ghetto, who had changed his life, who had confronted his issues of family and was there for his kids, a great father. He was a very hard worker, he barely slept as he wanted to make money to secure a future for his kids, to help them find a way out of poverty.
Corey certainly does not deserve to be where he is today. He died an innocent victim to a heartless evil crime. Simone’s kids left without a mother, Corey’s kids without a father, his wife without a good man.
The cycle flows on.
We need to intercept the pain.
1) Media campaigns should be commissioned by the government and private sector, to flood our airwaves and information access points with positive clips and links to resources to get help to ease our pain.
2) Corey’s children should given free education and other assistance
3) Families should be provided with counselling sessions…it should be mandatory to speak with someone who will professionally respond to their issues.
4) Create a social media counselling platform, linking people who need a listening ear anonymously
RIP MI GENNA!!!
I feel your pain. I have been a friend to many who have made transformation of their lives. The irony is that often we see this kind of end result.We ask questions of our selves even the Omnipotent Creator, why?
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Thank you for the other side of the story. I always wondered about the person who was murdered along with Simone. Sadness all around, I mourn for my country.
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We need to intercept the pain. When I read about this incident, there was so much talk about the woman and her personal life. I kept thinking, “But what about the taxi man?” I am so sad to hear…
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It took me a while to come to grip…I kept calling him a wondering why he wasn’t picking up. It’s too dangerous to ride with strangers these days…I reluctantly called the office and was told he was murdered. Devastating
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I was talking to a taxi driver about this ā such a lovely man. I told him to please be careful who he takes into his car.
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They run a serious risk everyday.
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Thank you for writing it. You did what you know you had to do for Corey. Respect.
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Corey was my friend too….he deserves more.
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Oh š® nooooo He has picked me up a few times and I remember his new car and I congratulated him on it š This is soooo soooooo wrong!!!!!!!!!
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Its horrible! He planned ans saved and sacrificed to buy the car and I doubt he got 3 months out of it
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This story is just one of many unsung heroes who are murdered every day in this country
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Thank you Daniel. I feel better knowing he’d be proud. He became an unlikely friend…as I listened to his stories and learnt somethinh from him in each trip.
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I always wondered who he was. Happy to hear his side of this sad story.
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Corey my nephew good man I have not seen him in years talk to him some times because I don’t live there any more very sad.š
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Uncle Duke. If you could share this with his friends and family members please do. RIP COREY!
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Aaaa reading this brings tears to my eyes n a pounding heart I struggled to controlš This is indeed SAD n u know the Children wow how can one b so heartless šš
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Or lack of value for lives is at an all time low. Very un-Jamaican. RIP COREY
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Thank you for putting a face, a name, a story behind the “taxi driver that was murdered”. His identity became overshadowed by that of his more prominent client. Corey’s story needs to be told…and retold.
May God comfort his family as they go through this very difficult period…. hopefully, his death will not leave his family bitter and seeking for revenge. May God provide for his family…
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Amen
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My cousin I just can’t come to grips that you are gone. Memories of you keep flowing back been so long I havnt seen you, then you just popped up to my thoughts unknowing news of your death would be what I would receive. All you were trying to do was go by your favorite slang “man a live ” but they took your life innocently while doing it. S.I.P with the angels knoa you gonna have them laughing all the time. Love always forever in my heart.
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JodyAnn my sincerest condolences ā¤
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I had 1 experience with this driver 2016. And it was a good 1. It was a blessing that morning. I drove in from mobay and stopped and my brothers office and when a cab was called he turned up. And it was a great ride filled with positive vibes. SIP Corey
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My Dad was one of those 156 persons murdered since 2018. In our house in Portmore. They took a phone, laptop and tablet. I feel your pain and the pain of all these families. No one should have to go through this. I’m not even going to go into the Police aspect. Haven’t started counseling as yet. But we’re going to. I wish it was a little easier.. like having someone make those arrangements.
I agree. We are desensitized. It’s just another name and a number until it happens to you. But how many families will be left unaffected? What will it take for the country at large to wake up?
All of the sighs.
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Wow. Beautiful article on a beautiful soul. May his soul rest in peace. He was more than “taxi driver”. Man with dignity, pride, ambition and, and, and . Really sad.
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Thank you Shanique.
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Thanks for this peek into the life of an extraordinary Jamaican man. May his legacy never be forgotten.
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Nice article and very thoughtful of you to do so. I pray God will comfort and provide for his wife and children. May they never go in need or suffer hunger. I pray also for the safety of his many clients who trusted and relied on him. Such a sad story
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Thank you for writing amd sharing this article. I wondered who he was, since his clientās death overshadowed his. I wish for his family to find peace and comfort knowing they were the priority in his life. Just so sad he is gone too soon.
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Thank u for highlighting the man he was. He was everything u said and more. He lived for his children and my heart breaks for them. R. I. P Corey. U will forever be in my heart. Happy to know I told u I love u 2 days before your death. U didn’t deserve this but God calls his strongest soldiers first!
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This has been one of the saddest stories I have ever told. I am trying to get in touch with his family.
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I am so touched by your perspective on this story. A beautiful yet sad article. Let us turn these thoughts into action.
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Exactly. Heard Mr. Colley more was found with money in his possession attempting to flee the island a second time. This money should go toward Corey’s family
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I pray you find his family and that God will give them comfort and strength…
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Thank you Nadia….the days go by and it’s still not any easier to accept for me a stranger…I can’t imagine his family
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I know exactly what you mean. I had a taxi driver, Jeffery who I used to pick up my son and daughter from school and transport to extra curricular activities.
He was irreplacable. He used his car to teach my son to drive. My children are grown now and he has migrated. He never comes to Ja and not check up on us.
Please stop the maddness. Treasure lives. Thanks for the other side. May Corey rest in peace. Yes we must give support to these families.
Thank you for sharing.
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