Have no fear! Inspector urges Clarendon residents to report crime

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

INSPECTOR OWEN Brown, sub-officer in charge of The Community Safety and Security Branch, Clarendon division, has said an increase in resources, improved intelligence gathering and gaining back an acceptable degree of trust are major factors that will improve the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) services to citizens.

Clarendon has recorded some 42 murders since the start of the year. Persons are generally fearful to report crime to the police because of a lack of trust. However, Brown urged residents to have no fear and help to play their part in helping to solve crime.

"As it relates to trust, there are a number of ways to interact with, and give information to, the police without having to fear for your life. There are options of using the anonymous numbers to call and give information to the police. The senior officers also give out their personal numbers so that persons can reach and confide in us as a part of building back the trust. We just have to reassure the public that they don't have to worry about the information going back out," Brown told The Gleaner.

He said the level of trust in the JCF has improved over the last few years, but it is still not at the level where he would like it to be.

Brown said many persons who say they are not giving information to the police have never had an encounter with one, adding that sometimes they do not know what has happened in certain cases but speculate based on what they hear or think they know.

Brown noted that the police are pressed for resources and should be commended for the work they continue to do with the limited resources available to them.

"Intelligence gathering is more technical and matters surrounding it cannot be discussed in public. We are appealing to the people to just trust us. Anything you see or know, come to the police, find a senior officer or someone you can trust, and pass on the information," he appealed.

- S.S

rural@gleanerjm.com