Hopewell police seek divine intervention for 2025
Published:Saturday | January 4, 2025 | 12:09 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The Hopewell Police Station, in collaboration with several church groups, the Hanover Police Community Safety and Security Branch, and residents of Hopewell, Hanover, hosted a police and citizens’ morning devotion in the Hopewell town square yesterday. This initiative aims to strengthen community ties and combat crime in the area.
The early morning event, spearheaded by the Hopewell Police Station, saw participation from several local residents, with occasional passersby joining in the praise and worship.
Corporal Marlando Gordon, of the Hanover police headquarters, delivered a sermon during the gathering.
Inspector Nadine Murray-Brown, the commanding officer for Hanover Police Area Zone 1 and officer in charge at the Hopewell Police Station, told The Gleaner in a post-event interview that the initiative seeks to improve the crime situation across the parish through religious engagement.
“The year 2024 was not what we wanted in terms of the crime situation within the parish, so we decided to strengthen our partnership with the residents of Hopewell. We are not disappointed with this effort, as we have reached some of the people we wanted to,” she stated.
Inspector Murray-Brown explained that while the crime statistics for Hanover showed a 33-per-cent decrease in murders for 2024 over the previous year, three murders were recorded in the Hopewell area, which the parish police team found unacceptable.
“That is why I say 2024 was not the year we were hoping for. We wanted to end the year on a good note with no murders in Hopewell. Since that did not happen, we are starting 2025 on a positive note,” she explained.
‘Divine intervention’
The morning devotion initiative is just one of several community events planned by the Hopewell Police for 2025. Inspector Murray-Brown emphasised that the message delivered during the devotion is expected to resonate with the residents, fostering a peaceful community.
“We in Hopewell want a peaceful 2025. We do not want to contribute to the parish’s murder statistics. We want our residents to feel safe, our children to live peacefully, and everyone to experience a violence-free life,” she affirmed.
Reverend Ronald Webster, resident pastor at the Hopewell Missionary Church, offered prayers for the police officers at the station and praised the initiative, describing it as a “divine intervention for the community of Hopewell”.
“It is always good for residents and the police to come together like this. Let’s face it – if we are going to address the crime and violence in our parish, it requires a clear partnership between the community and the police, as demonstrated by this initiative,” he said.
Reverend Webster noted that the interaction between the police and the community during the event is a positive step toward maintaining a crime-free society.
“This initiative is a good start. It may not solve all the problems, but it lays a strong foundation,” he remarked. “If we continue on this path, I am certain we will see greater collaboration and involvement between citizens and police, which should lead to improved relationships.”
He further explained that the event allowed police officers to interact with residents they do not regularly encounter and vice versa. Such engagements, he said, strengthen the relationship between the police and the community.
Reverend Webster, a longstanding advocate for community engagement, underscored the importance of mutual involvement by residents and police officers in creating a safer environment for all.