Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
A section of the old Vernamfield airstrip in Clarendon, where the police believe small aircraft are landing to drop off and pick up narcotic drugs and other contraband. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
CLARENDON, THE third largest parish, is located on the southern side of Jamaica. It is roughly halfway between the eastern and western end of the island and located in the county of Middlesex, bordered by Manchester on the west, St.Catherine in the east, and in the north by St. Ann.
The parish was named in honour of Lord Chancellor, Sir Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, and was formed after the amalgamation of three parishes: St. Dorothy's, Vere and the old parish of Clarendon.
PARISH CAPITAL
The capital of the parish is May Pen, which is the fastest-growing rural town close to Kingston, which produces sugar cane, banana, coffee, cocoa, pimento and the rearing of livestock.
Bauxite is extensively found in the parish and the headquarters of the mining companies Jamalco and Alcoa can be found in the parish. It is also home to Vernamfield, the first car-racing track established on the island.
CRIME TREND
The upsurge of crime in Clarendon has been indicative of a trend surfacing in the parish for the past two years. According to the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica report for 2004 and 2005, Clarendon has shown high figures for major crimes which include robbery, burglary and break-ins, rape, carnal abuse, murder and shootings.
In 2004 Clarendon had figures of major crimes at 853, while in 2005 the figure was 748. Although being fifth on both occasions in terms of total major crimes in the island, these figures represented over nine per cent of total major crimes in the island.
