Anderson explains why no SOE in Clarendon
Published:Tuesday | April 30, 2019 | 11:27 AM
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson has publicly acknowledged that the crime situation in Clarendon "lends itself" to a state of public emergency being declared in the parish, but suggested that inadequate resources has prevented that.
Anderson, who was speaking during a press conference today, said Clarendon is having "significant challenges" like St James, Westmoreland and Hanover, three parishes now under a state of emergency.
"Perhaps if we had as much resources as we would like, we would have done that one as well," he told The Gleaner.
"There is only so much resources that we have. It is clear what the most significant heat spots are," the police commissioner said.
He noted that because St James, Hanover and Westmoreland are adjacent to each other that allows the security forces "to use our resources in a more efficient way and get the results across the three parishes."
Up to April 22 this year, 37 murders were recorded in Clarendon.
In 2018, the parish recorded 133 homicides and 171 murders in the previous year.
We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.