Portland police urge timely reports of livestock theft

The Portland police are encouraging livestock farmers to make timely reports of the theft of their animals.

Superintendent in charge of the parish, Lloyd Darby, said that too many farmers are making late reports, which hampers the ability of the police to nab those responsible for the theft.

“Sometimes it is long after the fact that they get the police involved,” he lamented.

Superintendent Darby was addressing the recent monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation, where he reported that the police have heightened measures to prevent praedial larceny, with a special focus on livestock.

He said officers have increased their presence in the communities.

“We are increasing our visits to abattoirs and slaughterhouses,” he indicated.

Superintendent Darby noted that event promoters will be asked to provide receipts indicating where and from whom they have purchased animals that are being prepared for social events.

“We have started and in the new year, this will be rigorously enforced. We are looking to deter the buyers of stolen animals,” he said.

He says the police will be building on partnerships to reduce violence across the parish, and informed that the parish’s police complement was boosted with the addition of 11 new constables in December.

In addition, he said that during the month of November, 36 officers benefited from customer service and supervisory training provided by the HEART/NSTA Trust.

The superintendent is encouraging more young people in Portland to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

He noted that since last February, Portland has been operating as a recruiting centre, and there is no need for persons to travel outside of the parish to sign up to join the force.