St. James Police reaping results as murders and shootings decline

 

The leadership of the St. James police is supporting a significant reduction in murders and shootings in the parish over the last few weeks. 

 

Speaking on Thursday at the monthly meeting of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Deputy Superintendent in charge of operations, Linroy Edwards, said the St. James police have implemented measures targeting gangs, lottery scammers and violence producers in the parish. 

 

This, he said, has resulted in a 45 per cent reduction in major crimes, the capture of wanted fugitives and the seizure of millions of dollars from lottery scammers. 

 

DSP Edward said St. James, which was labelled as the murder capital of Jamaica, has recorded only two murders over the last seven weeks. 

 

He noted that Operation Storm, relaunched last month to crack down on criminal activities, has been reaping the required results.

 

"Last week, we had major operations across the parish. We conducted 14 raids resulting in eight arrests; 11 vehicles, including the high-end vehicles seized; and over $31 million was seized and other investigations are continuing, and these operations will continue."

 

Up to June 12, he said, the police had recovered seven firearms and 102 rounds of ammunition. 

 

"We are well trained, well equipped and highly motivated to take on these criminals, and we don't intend to see Montego Bay going back to the days of bloodletting and bloodshedding across the parish," he asserted. 

 

St. James has so far recorded 23 murders this year when compared with 73 over the similar period last year - a 63 per cent reduction. 

 

There has also been a significant reduction in shootings. 

 

Meanwhile, DSP Edwards said the St. James Police are prepared to ease restrictions in volatile communities in the parish in order to allow for the resumption of nightlife and entertainment events.

 

"I believe, and Councillor Charles Sinclair can support me on this, that the community should benefit in terms of party permits. Flankers, they have organised themselves and approached the police and we have facilitated them as it relates to party permits, because I believe that we need to give back to the communities. So I want to encourage all the communities...to come together and form this bond and partnership with us, so we can rid the communities of these gangsters and ensure that commerce and nightlife and entertainment continues," he urged.