Homicides Down 70/43 percent shootings down…Mobay

As the crime situation in Mobay, Ja. W. I. stabilizes, key players are speaking out. Government Senator and  Opposition MP are the latest to express satisfaction with the progress being made to date.

Opposition

Opposition Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson, MP said ” We are pleased with the drop in the murder rate. The enhanced security measures are helpful … we need to ensure these measures are sustainable.”

Public Order

Former mayor, attorney, under the JLP in Montego Bay,  Senator Clr. Charles Sinclair, Flanker Division, has repeatedly called for a State of Emergency. Reacting to the significant drop of 70 percent in Homicides as per crime figures, Sinclair had this to say: “A series of Stakeholder meetings are being held … the authorities are meeting regularly to control vending and other public order issues. For example, the intersections were being obstructed … it is the small things that lead to a breakdown of the Public Order. The  congestion and related transportation issues were also a problem. Public consultation is ongoing among stakeholder groups. Public order is being maintained in Mobay.” Asserts a strident Senator Sinclair.

Shootings are down 43 percent when compared with the corresponding period in 2017.

Crime

There is the perception and figures confirm that crime is going down.  There has been increased allocation of resources like more vehicles, boats, plane and more personnel planned.  The crime budget has been increased.

JNC

Jamaica National Service Corp, (JNC) has been boosting manpower, also the retention of staff ( Police) by 37 percent. The appointment of a new Commissioner of Police in Major General Antony Anderson. All these initiatives have made strides in a positive way.

Electronically

The National Security Ministry has implemented the introduction of “apps”. For example the “Stay Alert App.” The latest thing is the Jamaica Eye, a CCTV system at Up Park Camp, (Army) where the Central system is located which is linked to businesses and private citizens with CCTV systems island wide.

Chang

We wish the new National Security Minister Dr. The Hon. Horace Chang all the success. Chang has inherited much as a lot of the heavy lifting has been done by Hon. Robert Montague, former National Security Minister.

Commentary

We too are pleased with the reduction in crime.

Will the Canadian Government upgrade their Travel Advisory? It would be the only decent thing to do.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.