St. Catherine North Police report reduction in major crimes

  

The St. Catherine North Police are reporting a decrease in major crimes when compared with the corresponding period last year.

 

Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, head of the St. Catherine North Police, has attributed the successes to the initiatives undertaken to reduce crime and address the fear of crime.

 

Superintendent Nicholson sad the police have been targeted in efforts to disrupt gangs and their activities and restore order in the town centres.

 

"As at October 8, there's a 26% reduction in murders - that is 68 compared to 92 in 2023. Rape, 22, compared to 30, that's a 26% reduction as well. Robbery, 16, compared to 37, that's a 56% reduction," he outlined.

 

However, Superintendent Nicholson cited "slight increases" in shootings and break-ins. For break-ins, he said two suspects have been arrested and the police are pursuing two others, which should put a dent in cases. 

 

The senior cop was addressing the recent monthly meeting of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation.

 

Superintendent Nicholson said the police are making progress in getting illegal weapons off the streets, with 43 weapons seized so far this year compared with 39 for the similar period in 2023. 

 

In the meantime, he has appealed to motorists to exercise due care on the roads.

 

His appeal is against the background of 23 fatal crashes and 27 fatalities in the division since the start of the year. 

 

"So there are three more fatal collisions last year over this year. However, with regards to fatalities, there's one more.... A lot of these collisions could have been avoided if persons were using the roads properly, adhering to the rules of the road, reduce speeding, taking care when you are approaching intersections and also looking out for other persons, looking out for other road users," he suggested.