Police Expect 500 Persons to be Charged Under Anti-Gang Law

The police anticipate that more than 500 persons will face criminal charges this year under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill, popularly called the anti-gang law.

“It is anticipated that over the course of this year, we should see over 500 persons charged under this legislation and this will, in fact, help us to break the back of the criminal gangs that have been plaguing us for a long time,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of crime, Glenmore Hinds.

He was speaking at a press conference yesterday (January 7) at the Police Commissioner’s Office on Old Hope Road, St. Andrew. He informed that 26 persons have been charged under the anti-gang law to date.

The legislation was passed into law last year and forms part of the Government’s strategy to fight crime.

It makes provision for the disruption and suppression of criminal organisations and outlines offences, in order to restore a sense of security in the Jamaican society and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with crime.

It seeks to prohibit persons from establishing a criminal organisation; taking part in, or participating in a criminal organisation; providing or obtaining a benefit from a criminal organisation; and harbouring or concealing a participant in a criminal organisation.