Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Supt. Terrence Bent makes a point during a recent interview. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WHILE GANG-related killings are the main concern for the police in St. Catherine North, Superintendent Terrence Bent, the commanding officer for St. Catherine South, said robberies and break-ins are his biggest concerns in that division. Last year, there were 376 reported cases of robberies and 237 cases of break-ins which accounted for the parish with second highest figures.
Like his colleagues in St. Catherine North, Supt. Bent lists, among the obstacles faced, the lack of persons to come forward and attend identification parades or give statements to the police.
"Because of the itinerant nature of criminals, sometimes we are unable to capture criminal suspects in our area. What we need is more pedal and motorcycles to patrol the pathways in the domicile community of Portmore," Supt. Bent explained.
He said the sustained activities have driven some of the criminals away from the division. Up to last week, they were experiencing a five per cent reduction in crime.
"What is encouraging is the number of criminals that we have put behind bars, while some have died. Our records have showed that if you are a criminal and residing in Portmore, there is a high chance that you will be arrested and if you don't want to go peacefully, your life may end prematurely, if you decide to challenge the police," said Supt. Bent.
Since taking over the division four months ago, Supt. Bent said his team of detectives has adopted an Operation Kingfish approach in tackling crime in the division. He said his team was on top of the situation but would do well with additional patrol vehicles.
Hot spots
The St. Catherine South police said that the focus has been on hot spots such as
Central Village
Old Harbour
Newlands
Braeton
Caymanas
Lesser Portmore
