Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester

The crime rate in the parish of Manchester is not at what some lawmen would consider tolerable levels, though no significant rise has been recorded over the past two years.

According to some members of the Mandeville police, the parish is experiencing criminal activities which are foreign to its communities. They point out that, in recent times, the parish has experienced several kidnappings for ransom.

In one of the most recent incidents, a young man was taken from his community and returned to his family only after an undisclosed sum of money was handed over. In another case, a 12-year-old school girl was kidnapped and held until the family paid the demanded ransom.

Second bid

However, the alleged kidnapper returned to the family's home in Williamsfield - approximately two miles to the east of Mandeville - three weeks ago, cut through the roof of the house and again demanded money in a second bid to hold the child hostage. He was handed approximately $20,000 before inflicting a machete wound to the 12-year-old who was protecting her mother. The alleged kidnapper, who remains unidentified, was cornered and shot by members of the Mandeville police before he could make his escape.

Street hold-ups by gunmen in motor vehicles have also become a common occurrence in rural communities such as Cocoa Walk, Top Hill, Asia and Marlie Hill. These quiet communities have become 'no man's lands' after evening hours as the residents retreat to their homes in fear. Shops, the meeting and social centres of these commu-nities, no longer remain open late as their owners and patrons are systematically robbed, gunbutted and threatened.

In recent weeks the brazen gunmen have even come into the communities during the daylight hours, knowing that police personnel are far from them.

According to residents, the Cross Keys police have not been effective in stemming the crime wave, forcing them to now block the roads in to and out of the communities after dark.

Superintendent Michael James, officer in charge of the Manchester police, told The Gleaner the parish has 52 fewer policemen and women since he took over less than a year ago. He also said that, even if he had enough motor vehicles, the police would be stretched to find the personnel to operate them.