As St Elizabeth sees a notable drop in major crimes, Superintendent Coleridge Minto is drawing attention to the rising issue of unlicensed motorcyclists. Despite significant reductions in shootings, robberies, and break-ins, the parish has experienced a slight increase in murders. Minto has highlighted the need for better regulation of motorcyclists, urging residents to ensure their vehicles are properly licensed, insured, and equipped with helmets. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance community safety and maintain crime reduction efforts.

Murders the top concern in St Bess amid decline in major crimes

Jamaica Gleaner/16 Sep 2024/Editorial@gleanerjm.com

WHILE THE St Elizabeth police are now seeing a significant reduction in major crimes, as well as more people being arrested and charged over the corresponding period last year, the parish’s police commander is reporting that murder has seen a slight uptick.

While giving his monthly report during last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the police commander for St Elizabeth, provided a detailed account of the crime situation in the parish, and outlined measures being pursued to blunt lawlessness.

“Since the start of this year, 160 serious and violent crimes have been reported in the division in comparison to the corresponding period last year when we had 248. This is a reduction of 88, or 35 per cent, major crimes year-to-date,” said Minto. “Shootings are down by 29 per cent, robberies down by 41 per cent, break-ins down by 41 per cent and rapes down by 15 per cent. Aggravated assault is down by 35 per cent.”

Murders, which have been seeing a steady increase in the parish over recent years, had a minimal increase which Minto is working hard to keep in check so that, come the end of the year, there will be a reduction over last year’s figure.

“We are seeing three more murders than last year, 23 now versus 20 for the corresponding period, and, as you are aware, we had a double murder a few days ago in the Mountain Side area,” said Minto. “The policing area that has the most murders are Black River, the parish capital, [which] has six murders; followed by Santa Cruz, which has five murders; Balaclava, three; Siloah, three; Junction, three; New Market, two; and Maggoty, one.”

In terms of police operational activities in the parish, Minto said that since the start of the year, 791 persons have been arrested and charged up to August 31. Five hundred and sixty-eight persons were arrested over the corresponding period last year. Regarding persons arrested on warrants, last year the number was 187, and this year it is 244.

MASSIVE AMMUNITION FIND

“Firearm recovery last year was 22, and this year it is] 20. Ammunition recovered in 2023 was 122, while for this year, 1,260. This sharp increase is attributed to the massive ammunition find that we had in the Grosmond community a few days ago,” said Minto. “The number of tickets issued [was] 7,700 in 2023, compared to 3,442 this year up to August 31.”

Minto said he was quite concerned about the number of people in the parish who are driving motorcycles without licences, insurance and protective gear.

“So, again, I make this appeal to community members that as you speak to persons in your community, encourage them to have to their vehicles properly licensed and insured and, if they are utilising a motorcycle, they wear their helmets,” said Minto. “We are committed to fighting crime and enhancing safety in our communities. It is crucial to recognise that crime reduction is an ongoing process requiring collective effort from all our stakeholders.”

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