Chang lauds police for progress in dismantling gangs, crime reduction

 

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says the country's national security apparatus is guaranteed to ensure public order and to combat the rise in homicides and threats posed by organised criminal networks. 

 

Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Chang declared that the multi-billion dollar investments in the security forces has contributed to a reduction in homicides and other crimes. 

 

Dr. Chang argued that under the leadership of Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake, the police have been monitoring, targeting and dismantling gangs across the country.

 

Through police investigative efforts, he said, some 63 gangs have been interrupted, while 159 alleged gang members have been arrested - 34 of whom have been charged with offences including murder, firearm breaches and lottery scamming. Dr. Chang said 15 alleged gangsters have been charged under the anti-gang legislation. Overall, he added, 10 gang-related cases have been before the courts, with 90 accused currently before the courts.  

 

The minister pointed out that 85 gangs were identified as active across all 19 police division, which he said was "way below" the previous high of 350 or even the 120 recorded last year. 

 

Dr. Chang said a special court will be established to deal with cases involving accused gang members. He added that there has been a significant reduction in murders and shootings over the last few months. Calling them "historic achievements", the minister outlined that the country had recently recorded the lowest weekly murder count in 24 years, with the six murders. The country also recorded the lowest murder count in 25 years - 48 murders in February - and is expected to repeat that in April. With two days to go in the month, 42 murders have been reported. 

 

Meanwhile, the National Security Minister has again dismissed claims that the police are involved in extrajudicial killings, while calling for officers to defend themselves when confronted by armed suspects.

 

He argued that extrajudicial killings are "not part of the culture of the force today", adding that the government nor the police force "have no interest in that kind of activity". 

 

"It is about meticulous evidence gathering, the preparation of robust case files [to be in a] better position to secure successful prosecutions and deliver justice. That is our objective. And I will repeat: don't shoot at the police. If you shoot at the police, don't expect the police to take a shot before returning fire. And I don't expect the police to miss," he warned.

 

 

But in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate, Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South Fitz Jackson dismissed Dr. Chang's claim that crime and violence is under control. 

 

Mr. Jackson insisted that the homicide rate remains among the highest in the world, despite the progress under Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake.

 

He said the fear of crime is still a major concern for Jamaicans. 

 

"This decline while encouraging is fragile. Jamaica's homicide rate remains among the highest globally compounded by unchecked financial crimes and mass shootings. The JLP's reliance on state of emergency as a blunt instrument that eroded community trust and damaged livelihoods, that has proved disastrous. 

 

"Their approach mirrored netfishing, indiscriminately sweeping up innocent young men and children while failing to dismantle criminal networks. There is a better way. The PNP has long championed a balanced approach to security - one that pairs enforcement with prevention. The new commissioner, Dr. Blake's recent endorsement of focused deterrence, targeting the 1% responsible for 70% of violence validates over stance," he contended.