By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter 
Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas is flanked by two deputies, Tilford Johnson (left) and Jevene Bent, during the
commissioner's first press conference at his Old Hope Road office in St. Andrew. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer
POLICE COMMISSIONER Lucius Thomas said he
has fast-tracked and implemented tighter measures to halt the country's frightening homicide rate.
"We are moving swiftly to implement an approach which gives priority to reducing the homicide rate in our island. Initially, the approach calls for a concentration of resources and personnel in the four police divisions which persistently contribute to the high crime
murder rate," said Commissioner Thomas.
FIRST PRESS BRIEFING
Speaking yesterday at his first press briefing since assuming office on January 15, the commissioner said he had ordered the commanding officers of the country's high crime zones to immediately increase the level of resources and personnel in these areas.
He warned that divisional commanders will be held directly responsible for implementation of the initiatives aimed at
reducing the number of murders committed in their respective divisions.
Leading the high crime zones in 2004 is the St. Andrew South Police Division. This include areas such as Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens, sections of Maxfield Avenue and Waltham Park Road. Of the 1,469 persons killed across the island last year, 242 were murdered in this division.
In St. Catherine North, which covers Spanish Town, Linstead and other sections of northern St. Catherine, the police reported that 231 persons were killed. According to police records, at least 181 of the victims were slain in the hotbed of Spanish Town.
St. Catherine South comprised the dormitory community of Portmore. The police said 144 persons were killed in this division last year, while in St. James 128 were murdered.
SPIKE IN THE MURDER RATE
"These were the significant areas which accounted for the spike in the murder rate last year and they will be receiving a coordinated and concentrated attention from the Force," said Mr. Thomas.
Despite the lack of resources to seriously tackle the escalating crime problem, the Commissioner said while he awaits the government to address the situation, he has fast forwarded aspects of the decentralisation process of the police force in a bid to reduce the murder rate.
Commissioner Thomas gave the assurance that Operation Kingfish will be stepping up its investigations into major crimes and narcotics activities as part of the coordinated approach being taken.
Pointing to the strategies to tackle the problem in the troubled communities, the Commissioner told journalists that the Kingfish concepts has worked quite well .
