By Glenroy Sinclair and Ross Sheil, Staff Reporters

Shields

LESS THAN a week after receiving a baptism of fire in the troubled east Kingston community of Bryden Street, Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields has called for more effective crime-fighting strategies.

Reports are that DCP Shields, who is on secondment to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from the London Metropolitan Police, discussed the new strategies yesterday at an emergency meeting attended by divisional officers.

Up to yesterday, more than 315 persons had been murdered over the past 73 days, 17 of whom were killed on the weekend. Among those killed was Detective Constable Michael Francis, 35, who died in the line of duty.

Speaking to The Gleaner recently, DCP Shields said Jamaica's crime problem rests with community responsibility and police accountability.

TRUSTWORTHY, PROFESSIONAL

"We must demonstrate that the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) is trustworthy and professional; at this moment, the public don't have full confidence in the JCF," said DCP Shields. "This is a problem for the whole of the community and they are sickened and in fear of the men of violence.

"With extra confidence comes a snowball effect, with more people willing to come forward and place their trust in the police. We need intelligence from the community," added DCP Shields.

He continued: "We need to target the gunmen. There are hundreds of murders being committed, but hundreds less people committing them; they should not be hard to find."

The Gleaner has learnt that DCP Shields will be implementing strategies to beef up the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the police at the divisional level. Last Saturday, the senior British officer got first-hand experience of a 'gunfight' between gunmen and members of the security forces, in Bryden Street, east Kingston, where six persons were gunned down.

The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) confirmed last night that a curfew was imposed for the second consecutive night in the troubled east Kingston community.

It will be in effect west along Mitchell Street, east of Bray Street, north of William Street and south of Windward Road. The curfew began at 6:00 p.m. yesterday and will be lifted at 8:00 this morning.

The Gleaner further learnt that East Kingston Member of Parliament, Phillip Paulwell, met with constituents last night to help restore normality to the community which has been experiencing unrest over the past six weeks. So far, at least 11 persons have been killed between Franklyn Town and the adjoining areas of Bray Street.