Commish urges Portland to stay calm ... outlines initiatives to combat growing crime wave in parish
Published:Tuesday | October 6, 2015 | 12:00 AM
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
Although admitting that there is an increase in murders and gun-related crimes in Portland, which is dubbed Jamaica's most peaceful parish, Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams said there is no real cause for alarm.
Williams was delivering the main address at a divisional conference at Hotel Tim Bamboo in the parish last Friday.
"I don't think we should uproot all our traditional strategies that we have in Portland," Williams told The Gleaner.
"Yes, there has been an increase in murders in this parish, and that figure now stands at eight, when compared to six last year at this time. However, if you look in some divisions, we have had that number of murders in one or two days. New police vehicles are to be assigned to Portland, and new police officers are to be assigned come next year from the graduating batch from the police college," he added.
Several rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force also attended the divisional conference.
MARINE BOOST
"Ten marine vessels are to be handed over to the JCF Marine Division by the United States government, through the US ambassador to Jamaica. Portland is to receive some of those marine vessels," Williams said.
"This parish has done well and credit must be extended to the team that we have here, along with residents, who have sought to solve their disputes and have protected themselves against criminals operating elsewhere in the country," the commissioner further stated.
He noted that there has also been an increase in robberies in the parish, especially gun-related incidents, adding that the police will be going all-out to apprehend and disrupt the operations of those who continue to engage in criminal activities.