Government facing pressure to arrest murder surge
Published:Monday | June 12, 2017 | 10:53 AM
The latest crime figures are expected today as the Andrew Holness administration comes under pressure to arrest the surge in murders which has seen Clarendon alone recording 14 murders in the past seven days.
The commander for the Clarendon Police Division, Superintendent Vendolyn Cameron Powell says of the 14 killings, nine were as a result of deals gone bad in the meat for guns trade, which, she said, involves Haiti.
She said demand for meat in St Elizabeth is also influencing theft and other crimes.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Cameron Powell says the police have intensified their investigations and are patrolling with soldiers to target criminals.
However, she says no arrest has yet been made and no gun recovered.
Between January 1 and June 11, Clarendon has seen 62 murders, the same for the similar period last year.
The police have reported that about 590 persons have been murdered in the 19 police divisions islandwide since the start of the year.
However, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Peter Bunting says his calculations put the figure to 639.
Bunting says the situation needs attention and he's willing to partner with Security Minister, Robert Montague.
At the funeral of Assistant Police Commissioner Winchroy Budhoo yesterday, Montague called for Bunting to again meet with him.