St Catherine North murders increase despite national drop

In a year when murders fell by 15 per cent nationally, the St Catherine North Police Division has recorded a 16 per cent increase in homicides, the largest of any division in the country.

Police statistics show that up to the third week of December, there were 199 murders in communities that fall within the division, 27 more than for the corresponding period last year.

Shootings also saw a 17 per cent spike up to the third week of December in a division that is home to the rival 'One Order' and 'Clansman' gangs.

By comparison, however, the division recorded a 41 per cent decline in rape, 22 per cent decrease in carnal abuse, 12 per cent decrease in robberies and a seven per cent drop in break-ins.

Superintendent Anthony Castelle, who heads the St Catherine North Police, said gang activities were the driving force behind the increased murders and shootings.

Many hotspots

This, he said, has created more than 22 hot spots where violent clashes can start at any time.

"St John's Road is a typical example of where war can flare up at any time. That is the magnitude of the problem," said Castelle.

In addition, he said some of the crimes were committed by criminals who fled communities in west Kingston after the May 24 incursion.

"They want to establish themselves as 'shottas' and they will do the worst of things," Castelle reasoned.

He, however, warned that stiffer measures are coming, as the police move to take over public spaces that are occupied by criminals.

These measures will include more intelligence-driven operations, cordon and search and an expanded street-crime unit.

"The targeted raids are what will zero in on some of the culprits that are being a nuisance," he said.

"If you separate the gang activities and the gang-related murders, you would have very few murders to report," added Castelle, who headed the St Andrew North police when murders decreased by more than 40 per cent.

He said the police, with assistance from the army and the Mobile Reserve Division, will also increase their presence in the Spanish Town centre.

'They want to establish themselves as 'shottas' and they will do the worst of things.'