Murder triggers unease in Hopewell, residents call for new police station
Published:Friday | December 22, 2023 | 12:08 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The murder of the bursar at the Hopewell High School in Hanover on Wednesday has stirred emotions in Hopewell and its adjoining communities, with residents expressing anger, disgust, and despondency.
Thirty-five-year-old Jermaine Roberts was gunned down while approaching his motor vehicle on the school compound, and the principal, Byron Grant, was reportedly injured in his bid to escape the mayhem.
The lone gunman escaped after the attack.
While the Hanover police are investigating the matter, Hopewell residents believe an uptick in crime in the area is affecting the growing economic centre.
The Gleaner has been reliably informed of several recent cases of house and business burglaries, motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle scrapping overnight in the community.
Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels also recently expressed annoyance at the long time it is taking to get a police station operational in the area, months after the Hanover Municipal Corporation handed over a property to the Jamaica Constabulary Force for this purpose.
Nowhere safe
“Right now, me get ‘fraid. No matter weh you deh, whether in a church, school, or at work, you no safe,” one taxi driver, whose route terminates in Hopewell, told The Gleaner. He asked that his name not be published.
President of the Hanover Justices of the Peace Association, Kaneisha Pyne-Palmer, who lives in the Hopewell area, also expressed concern about the crime situation.
“The safety and well-being of our residents are of paramount importance, and I believe it is crucial that the issue is addressed promptly with emphasis on prioritising the urgent need for a police station in Hopewell to ensure a more immediate and effective response to incidents,” she told The Gleaner.
“Having a local police presence can significantly contribute to deterring criminal activities and fostering a sense of security among residents,” she added.
While extending condolences to the Hopewell High School family and the relatives of the slain bursar, Pyne-Palmer called for proactive steps to be taken in the interest of the community’s well-being.
She noted that her association is committed to supporting any initiative that promotes safety and justice for all Hanoverians.
Meanwhile, Hopewell Citizens’ Association President Derrick Wright told The Gleaner that he is also very concerned about the increase in crimes in the seaside town.
“We (Hanover) [were recently] under a state of emergency. The numbers and presence of the security forces in the area have been increased, so the problem just boils down now to how much we, as humans, respect other people and respect life,” he stated.
He encouraged citizens to assist the police in curbing the lawlessness in the country.
“The Government and the security forces can only do so much. We, as citizens, have to play our part,” he noted.