Gov’t to Improve Community Infrastructure as Part of Crime Fight

Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government will be undertaking improvement works in several communities across the island as part of measures to reduce crime.

He said that discussions are already underway with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, National Water Commission (NWC) and the National Works Agency (NWA) to address water, sewage, roads and other issues.

He said that streetlights will be fixed, water pipes repaired, and unauthorised electricity connections removed.

“We cannot deal with all the problems at once, but we intend to partner with other Ministries and treat with these issues,” Mr. Montague said.

He was speaking at the recent Jamaica Police Federation Conference at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel, St. James.

The Minister argued that orderly development of communities and access to basic social services such as roads and water are critical in addressing crime.

“New communities must be properly planned and older ones upgraded. Communities must have roads so that the police, ambulance, fire and garbage trucks can go in, and must have proper and specific addresses and names. We must survey these (informal) settlements and over time regulate them and ensure that the lands are paid for,” he pointed out.

He informed that a police post will be established in housing schemes with more than 400 units.

Turning to measures to improve community policing, Minister Montague said that at least 30 mobile stations will be rolled out this year and the number of District Constables (DC) assigned to communities will also increase.

“Many of them will be sent back into their communities. A DC must stay in the district. There will be need for some to do station duties and that will continue,” he explained.

He informed that there will be two intakes of recruits this year to boost the number of police personnel.

Minister Montague said that improved and continuous training in all aspects of police work will be a major feature of the force. Among areas for training is the Lottery Scam Act so that cases can be better prepared.

He said the Ministry will also be equipping the force with more technology resources. “We are encouraging you all to use the technology when we acquire it. Improved intelligence-sharing and analysing and enhanced capabilities will drive strategy and operations,” he told the Federation members.