Cedric Johnson
, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
WITH CRIMINAL activities on the rise in the once peaceful community of Leaming-ton, Westmoreland, residents are calling on the authorities to establish a police post in the area.
The effort, which is being spearheaded by Luther Bu-chanan, the councillor for the area, comes against the background of a spate of hold-ups, burglaries, robberies, shop breaking and larceny, which have made residents fearful of moving around as they did in former times.
"With the growing incidence of criminal activity, I am requesting a police post in the area to serve districts such as Ashton, Berkshire, Dundee and New Roads," said Coun-cillor Buchanan. "The Bethel Town Police Station, which at present serves these areas, is just too far away to meet the immediate needs of these communities."
REQUEST
Councillor Buchanan's re-quest was first made at a recent meeting of the West-moreland Parish Council at which time Mayor Delford Morgan advised him to take up the matter with the Minis-ter of National security, assuring him that the Council would support his representation.
"We need a strong police presence in this area," said Michael Hanson, a resident of the area, who admitted that he was becoming increasingly fearful of his safety in the community. "If we don't act to get a police post now, the criminals are going to run over us soon."
The Westmoreland police have confirmed the long held view that the illegal drug trade in areas such as Berk-shire/Dundee is partly responsible for the upsurge in crime. According to a police source, outsiders with ties to the drug trade are behind the criminal activities.
"We have to nip this thing in the bud before it get out of hand," said Councillor Buchanan, in making a personal appeal to National Security Minister Peter Phillips. "Our people are for the most part, law-abiding and we've always had a peaceful, almost crime-free community."
