Cops out west stage fun-filled, six-hour recreation link-up

Western Bureau:

With the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Area One remaining laser-focused on blunting the lawlessness plaguing the division – comprising St James, Westmoreland, Hanover, and Trelawny, and with the region’s crime figures for 2024 trending into the right direction, the police men and women were last Thursday rewarded with a six-hour recreational ‘link up’ in Montego Bay.

Based on the JCF’s Serious & Violent Crime Report, spanning January 1 to August 24, three of the four parishes are showing a reduction in murders with only Hanover, which has the lowest count, moving up from 13 to 16 over the comparative period last year. St James has seen a reduction from 133 to 90; Westmoreland has dropped from 79 to 66; and Hanover is down from 55 to 38.

“It is not that we are taking a break from our crime-fighting duties. The officers are still on the job and ready to respond if they are called upon,” said Superintendent Eron Samuels, the police commander for St James. “This is just an opportunity for the officer across the division to link up, listen to some music, enjoy a meal, and basically share some fun times with their colleagues.”

True to Samuels’ word, it was clear that the police personnel were still on the job because, as one service vehicle drove into the scenic Pineapple Beach location in Unity Hall, on the outskirts of Montego Bay, where the event was held, another unit would leave to replace them on the road.

The much-publicised Karaoke did not take place as the police personnel, especially those who were armed with rifles, seemingly preferred to listen to the sound system music.

With no Karaoke, domino and Ludo took the spotlight with male and female law enforcement joining in on the action.

ACCOMPLISHED PLAYER

Superintendent Andrew Nish, commander of the Hanover Police Division, seemed quite an accomplished player, drawing much of the attention. Some onlookers seemed slightly annoyed when he would stop in the middle of a game to answer a call from one of his officers and then issue careful instructions before resuming the game.

“This is a good way to get the officers to relax for a minute … We have to be focused and ready at all times because the people in my division are depending on me and my team to keep them safe,” said Nish. “We have been getting some good results and we will not be letting up the pressure until the violence producers realise there is no place in this parish for them.”

While he did not seem overly interested in the fun and frolic, Westmoreland’s commander, Superintendent Othneil Dobson, was quite engaging with members of the media, making it clear that he intends to tame the lawlessness, which has been plaguing that parish.

“It is not an easy task, but we are committed to do whatever it takes to make Westmoreland a safe place for the residents … We want to create a shift from the culture of violence, especially among the children,” said Dobson. “If we can get the children to buy into the idea that they can settle their differences without violence, we will be well on our way to create a safe parish.”

While the affable Trelawny commander, Superintendent Winston Milton was the only commander not present, should there be a reprimand, Area One commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenford Miller, who was present and clearly having a good time, will probably tell him about the jerked chicken, rice and peas, curried goat, pork, festivals, roasted breadfruit and mannish water that he missed.

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