Look out for migrating criminals – Portland police warn residents

Residents of Portland are being urged to be vigilant in detecting migrating criminals, especially those coming from St James where a Zone of Special Operations has been declared in Mount Salem.

Commanding Officer in charge of the Portland Police Division, Deputy Superintendent Rex Swearing, is warning residents to be on the lookout for criminal elements who might be seeking a place of refuge as they come under increased pressure from the security forces.

DSP Swearing says the police alone cannot solve the country's crime problem.

The Portland Police head revealed that of the five murders committed in the division since the start of the year, three have been cleared up by the police, while the other two are still being investigated.

DSP Swearing points out that there has been a decrease in some areas of major crimes in the parish including robbery, which is down by 20 per cent; shooting down by 100 per cent; rape down by 25 per cent, and larceny by 13 per cent.

He noted that the police are carefully monitoring coastal areas as they seek to derail the efforts of some local fishermen, who are active players in the drugs-for-guns trade with their counterparts in Haiti.

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