Chang claims 56% reduction in gangs across island
Published:Wednesday | May 15, 2024 | 12:07 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Parliamentary Reporter
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang yesterday heralded what he said was the success of the security forces in significantly disrupting the activities of gangs across the country.
In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament, Chang reported that at the start of the year there were 244 active gangs in the country. However, he said to date that number has been reduced to 106 active gangs, which would amount to a decline of around 56 per cent.
The national security minister said at present there are five gangs before the courts; three being prepared to be placed before the courts and 64 currently being investigated.
Singling out some of the more notable gangs, Chang said the Clansman has been disrupted and One Order “is quiet”.
He indicated that the activities of the once feared Stone Crusher Gang, which operated out on Montego Bay in St James, have fizzled.
“The police’s assessment indicates that the number of gangs across the country has been considerably reduced and they are now smaller and less organised. Several large gangs have been disrupted, a number of gang trials are pending and the police have picked up several contract killing syndicates,” he said.
At the same time, Chang has noted that while murders remain unacceptably high, the security forces have made gains in reducing major crimes.
The national security minister has pointed to a nexus between the reduction of severe crimes and an increase in the complement of the police force.
He told his parliamentary colleagues that an increase in the establishment of the force and a boost in its mobility have resulted in a slow but steady decline in severe violence.
For the six-month period, November 2023 to April 2024, Chang said the country has seen a 24 per cent decline in murder when compared with the preceding six-month period.
Chang said murder is trending on a 15 per cent decline this year.
“If we had used the full force of the legislation – the state of public emergency – over the last two years while we were building the force to where it is today, we would have saved hundreds of lives,” Chang said.
He noted that the administration has been consistent in its commitment to strengthen the police force.
“We said from day one that if we strengthen the police force, provide the supporting legislation and give the police the tools to fight the crime, as we carry out the social investment, then these efforts would converge, where we begin to get sustainable reductions in criminal violence,” he added.