Major Crimes Down 19 Per Cent in St. Ann

Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Area Two Division, Elan Powell, is reporting a 19 per cent reduction in major crimes in St. Ann since the start of the year.

ACP Powell was addressing the launch of a ‘Unite for Change’ forum and First Responders and Violence Interrupters training programme on Sunday (September 28), at the Ocho Rios High School.

He said the latest statistics show a fall in all categories of serious crimes in the parish, except murders. He noted that St. Ann is just one of three parishes that have seen an increase in murders so far this year.

ACP Powell said the opportunity is now presented for the police to work with the citizens and other stakeholders, to safeguard the gains that have been made, and step up efforts to achieve a sustained reduction in murders.

“We have an opportunity, starting today, to ensure that we do something about this. Last year we ended the year with 35 murders…that was a 37 per cent decrease over the previous year…that was great! We are 27 (murders) to date and we cannot equal last year…so all of us will have to function as ambassadors…as agents of change,  to remind our neighbours that St. Ann  will not have another murder for the rest of the year,” he stated.

The Police Area two also incorporates St. Mary and Portland.