Police warn against vandalising JUTC buses, defacing political posters

 

Commanding Officer for the Police Area 5, Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips, is warning that the police will be taking a zero tolerance approach to the vandalising of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses.

 

He says the police are keeping a close watch on communities in the St. Catherine South Division with a history of such attacks.

 

"For 2024 and 2025, so far, we have had cases in the following communities in the Portmore area: Cumberland, Christian Gardens, the Greater Portmore area, Passage Fort, and Caymanas. The majority of the incidents were committed between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. under the cover of darkness. The report also provided insights on the cause of some of these incidents, [including] road rage, students in conflict. And I saw where the Big Tree area in Caymanas was flagged a hotspot for these incidents. Whosoever is caught will face the full blunt of the law, and we are going to set an example," he warned. 

 

The warning comes after repeated stone throwing incidents along Washington Boulevard forced the JUTC to announce a suspension of service on Route 30, 32 and 47.

 

But that decision was quickly reversed following outcry from commuters.

 

Six JUTC buses were damaged in the latest round of attacks.

 

Meanwhile, with election campaigning heating up, ACP Phillips said the police will also not tolerate the defacing of political posters.

 

"This kind of activity is really unacceptable and we will not be tolerating any conduct that threatens to bring disorder within our police space. As police officers, you know that our role is to ensure a safe and fair electoral process for all the citizens. So we will be increasing our presence," he promised.