Volatile Cornwall Courts to get police post

Western Bureau:

Residents of Cornwall Courts in Montego Bay, St James, who were left traumatised by a spate of gangland-style lotto scam-related shootings towards the end of last year, are now breathing a sigh of relief as indications are that the community is to get a mobile police post soon.

Senior Superintendent of Police Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for the St James Police Division, told the media last weekend that plans are now afoot to establish a police post in Cornwall Courts, which is the second-largest housing development in Jamaica behind Portmore, St Catherine.

"As it relates to a police post or station for Cornwall Courts, you know that it has executive connotation to it so it is not my call, but I know that my boss is looking at that," said McGregor. "We now have a 24/7 (round the clock) presence in Cornwall Courts and we are looking at putting in our mobile police station."

In fact, in noting that the promised police post should have already been a reality, McGregor said the delay in its establishment was due to issues with getting the mobile police station from Kingston to Montego Bay.

"But it is being dealt with as we

speak," he said.

While some residents are elated with the news that the community is set to get a police post, others are somewhat wary, noting that a similar promise, which did not materialise, was made in 2014 by former St James commanding officer, Senior Superintendent Egbert Parkins.

The community, which witnessed numerous instances of sporadic shootings last year, was jolted on December 15 when one man was shot dead and five other persons, including two women, were injured when gunmen rained bullets on a section of Cornwall Courts shortly before midday.

Cornwall Courts is located in proximity to several of the volatile communities, which contributed significantly to the record 215 murders committed in St James last year.