By Nagra Plunkett,
Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU-
ST. JAMES, more specifically the city of Montego Bay has become safer for law-abiding citizens. Commanding Officer for the parish, Superintendent Owen Ellington has contributed this to the policing strategies implemented in the fight against crime.
The Supt. says that increased police surveillance and patrol have helped to reduce the number of crimes being committed in the parish.
"So far since the start of the year there has been a downturn of serious offences namely robberies, carnal abuse, break-ins and larceny," he said.
According to the statistics given by Supt. Ellington, crime in general is down 24 per cent, pointing out that since the New Year, 110 crimes have been reported, compared to 145 for the corresponding period last year.
The officer outlined the new strategies as having increased patrol radio cars, beat patrols and a new contingent called the Quick Response Team (QRT). The team is comprised of six motor cycle riders who man the very dense traffic areas and business districts in the city.
Supt. Ellington told the Cornwall Edition that an analyzation of crimes committed in the parish over the years occurs on the streets. As such, in the past where there were three patrol cars out, there are now eight. They cover a total of sixteen zones. Ten-foot beats have also been designed in Montego Bay.
The bicycle patrols function mainly in the downtown and tourist areas. The radio cars and the beat patrols are on guard 24 hours. Murder and shooting are two categories of concern to the police.
Supt. Ellington said that in comparison to last year, these crimes have not gone down, however they have been able to break the trend. In the first two weeks of this year, there were eight murders in the parish. On Monday the number of murders committed in the parish was 23. With regards to the recovery of illegal firearms they have progressed. A total of 16 guns have been taken off the streets, 10 more than the same period in 2000. "The roles that citizens can play is to feed information to us by calling 119 day or night," Supt. Ellington stressed. "Whether a crime has been committed or there is crime in progress," the Superintendent added.
