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Tertiary students who have rented properties in August Town to be closer to school are living in fear due to continued violence in the community.

"I lived in Westmoreland originally. I've lived in August Town for roughly three years and I chose to live in August Town because it's cheaper in comparison to other places and it's very close to school ... it's walking distance," Kimberley Peddy, a third-year University of the West Indies student, told THE STAR.

Peddy says the violence in the community has been going on for a while - affecting her studies.

"I had to move because of that. There were times when I would be at school and wondering if I would be able to go home safely because you never know when gunshots are going to be fired. You never know if it's going to be in the morning or night. Sometimes, it goes on forever and ever," she said. "It is very scary. I remember one Sunday I was home and I had to be down on the floor because the gunshots were so loud and they were echoing where I was. As a student, it can really take a toll on yuh. When you want to study, it affects your whole mental health."

Brittany Walker moved to August Town from Portmore to save money.

"I don't have to take any bus or taxi to get on campus. First year, I struggled with tuition and then transportation expense, so I found somewhere in August Town so I could just walk to school. That is the only plus side to this," she related. But moving back home is not an option.

"I'm tired of it ... as night come yuh hear shots. Sometimes I want to sit on my veranda and get fresh air but I am afraid to do that. I have to try and tough it out, because it is even rougher now with the virus. My rent now is very cheap ... if I move to somewhere else I would have to pay more and I can't afford that now," she said.

One University of Technology student said there have always been shootings, but things have escalated.

"From the other day, it's like you hear gunshots every night. It's a good thing we don't have to go to school right now," the student said.