Church group: Tell law enforcers where the guns are

The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches (JUGC) is urging Jamaicans to tell the police where illegal firearms are hidden as the faith-based body bemoans the recent violent killings of two missionaries, a policewoman, and a businessman.

In a release yesterday, the JUGC called on "all people of goodwill to be determined to find ways of ridding our beloved country" of the scourge of crime and violence.

"The church groups are calling on persons to discretely share with the police whatever information they may have on crimes that have been committed, including informing the police where illegal firearms are present."

At its monthly meeting held recently, the church bodies bemoaned the gruesome murders of businessman Trevor Meikle in Manchester, Corporal Judith Williams, and missionaries Harold Nichols and Randy Hentzel. "The darkness of evil has again overshadowed our beautiful island home," the group lamented.

"The JUGC extends deepest sympathy and condolences to their families and friends; members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force; the people of Albion Mountain, St Mary, and the people of the United States. The groups of churches pray that God's presence and comfort will undergird these loved ones in this difficult time."

The JUGC noted that life has become very cheap to some Jamaicans, "and so it doesn't take much for them to end the lives of others".