CROOKS
Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
MAYOR OF Lucea Lester Crooks and Member of Par-liament for Western Hanover Ralston Anson have ex-pressed satisfaction with the performance of the police in the parish of Hanover.
This comes against the background of remarks made only three months ago where both had attributed the high levels of crime affecting the parish on a lack of vigilance by the police.
"The police have been doing a fine job since that day in April when I spoke out publicly about the alarming levels of violent crimes, which had threatened to overwhelm the parish, especially in the Kew area of Lucea," Mayor Crooks told The Gleaner on Wednesday.
"As far as I am concerned, the police are now more active and have been doing a lot more work. I am satisfied that the police are more vigilant and have been doing what they are mandated to do," Mayor Crooks added.
Mr. Anson said that while he was happy that the levels of crime in the Kew area and other sections of the parish had declined, there was very little room for complacency. He said it was critical that the police maintained a strong presence in those areas.
PROACTIVE APPROACH
Deputy Superintendent Charles Harvey, commander of the Hanover Police Division attributed the decline in criminal activities since April to a more proactive approach to crime-fighting, including what he called special tactics to intercept migrant criminals who may enter the parish.
"We don't wait on things to happen," DSP Harvey noted. "We have increased our patrols, operations and raids and have improved traffic management, especially within the major towns.
He added: "Han-over is sandwiched between St. James and Westmoreland which have very high crime rates, so we have to maintain a presence, especially on the major thoroughfares, in order to intercept those criminals who may try to take up residence in Hanover."
Ten murders have been committed in Hanover since the start of the year, three of which have been solved. Eight of the murders were committed during the first three months of the year, resulting in both Mayor Crooks and Mr. Anson publicly expressing their anger. Three of the murders, as well as several incidents of shooting, were committed in the Kew community in Lucea. As a result of the men's outcry, several community consultations were conducted in the community by the police in association with the Social Development Commission, MPs and parish councillors, in a bid to assess and solve the social problems in the area.
CRIME STATISTICS
Other crime statistics from the parish include: eight cases of the illegal possession of firearms and four cases of shooting with intent. There were four reported of carnal abuse, compared to six for the same period last year. However, the incidence of rape increased to eight cases when compared to five during the corresponding period last year. Currently, Hanover has the second lowest crime rate after the parish of Portland.
DSP Harvey noted that despite losing its cherished status as being Jamaica's safest parish, Hanover's relatively low crime rate over the years could be attributed to the successful community-based policing approach that has always been in effect in the parish. He noted that the harmonious relationship that the police enjoyed with the people of Hanover served to keep the crime level at a minimum.
"Our policy is not to only go out on the street but to interact with the citizens. We need more of this type of policing in other parts of Jamaica. In many other parishes they go in with large police and military forces, but that is after the damage has already been done," DSP Harvey said. "We impress upon our members the importance of interacting with citizens in a professional manner. They are told not to abuse, shout at or speak down to people, because the only way people will have confidence in the police is through respect."
