Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) James and Simpson
The problem of immobility and the dwindling of their numbers could soon com-promise the success story of the newly-built Grants Pen Police Station in north St. Andrew.
Speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum last week, the Grants Pen police said they have not had any reported cases of murder over the past eight months. With the exception of robberies, all major crimes are down.
But despite this, the police said they are unable to effectively police the once-volatile community because of a shortage of vehicles.
Backed by the financial support of the private sector, the station was built through the assistance of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) as part of the multimillion-dollar Model Community Policing and Services Centre.
At least 70 police officers were to have been assigned to the police station when it was officially opened in Novem-ber last year. However, the count now is 57.
"About seven of our police have since been transferred and there has been no replacement," confirmed Inspector Michael Simpson, who spoke at the Editors' Forum.
One of the major challenges now faced by the lawmen is the inflow of deportees and itinerant criminals who have found a safe haven in the peaceful community.
"But we are working around the clock to flush them out," said Corporal Leroy James, one of the community policing officers at the station.
Although the police have been successful in curbing crime, they have not been able to unearth the cache of illegal guns and ammu-nition believed to be hidden throughout the community.
"We are getting there, we are working on the intelligence," commented Inspector Simpson.
