Montego Bay cops stand firm amid carnage
Published:Monday | May 31, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
WITH MORE than 100 murders in St James since the start of the year, the parish, which includes the nation's tourism capital Montego Bay, continues to be a place where criminals pose a serious challenge to law enforcement.
Some cynics say St James might be losing the battle against lawlessness, but Assistant Commissioner of Police Denver Frater, the commanding officer for Area One, which includes the parish of St James, says the police remain resolute in their quest to arrest the situation.
"One hundred murders is 100 murders too many," Frater told The Gleaner on Saturday. "We are in a war against criminals and they must be defeated if we are to provide decent law-abiding citizens with safe communities."
On the hunt
While the murder situation remains ominous, Frater said the police are making big strides in dealing with other crimes such as robberies, housebreaking and the so-called lesser crimes.
"Murders and shootings remain our major challenge, but we remain resolute that we will not be giving up any ground to those involved in these heinous acts," said Frater.
Based on the homicide pattern in St James, the vast majority of the killings - 80 per cent by the latest police statistics - occurred in and around Montego Bay's 19 unplanned inner-city communities, where criminals exploit the infrastructural deficiencies, low self-esteem, poverty and a myriad of other social problems that exist.
During a recent visit to Montego Bay, in which he announced the establishment of a police post in the much-feared north-west St James crime belt, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson spoke to the need for social-intervention programmes to address some of the needs of the residents.
Incidentally, the police post, which is now being refurbished, was firebombed by thugs last Tuesday, who are opposed to having it located in proximity to the problem areas.
"They had better get accustomed to having it there because we are going to complete the refurbishing and occupy it," said Superin-tendent Merrick Watson, the commanding officer for St James, in the aftermath of the firebombing.
No complacency
Based on police statistics, amid the carnage being unleashed, some 34 so-called gangsters have been killed in alleged confrontations with the police. One such gangster, Richard 'Ritchie Black' Lawn, reportedly had a hit list with some 36 names in his possession when he was recently shot and killed by the police.
While the unfolding situation in western Kingston has taken the spotlight off St James, Frater said the police are not about to become complacent and are basically on guard should the criminals running away from battle in Kingston try to find a safe haven in western Jamaica.
"We have put contingency plans in place in all four western parishes to deal with these criminals should they try to come here," said Frater.
"We are also calling for members of the public to play their part in reporting any strangers who suddenly turn up in their communities."