'I tell you something even better, I am going to catch a lot of them before the election. Unfortunately, some might die in the process' - McGreggor

Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Superintendent of Police, Steve McGreggor, appears to have a quick-fix solution for St. James' escalating crime problem, as he is predicting that he will be putting the parish's criminals out of circulation before the next election.

"We have some people down here that we are looking for, and so far they have eluded us, but I am going to catch them before I leave here!" he said.

"I give you another secret, I am going to catch a lot of them before the year ends."

Supt. McGreggor was addressing the gathering at the signing of the financial agreement of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Inner-City Basic Services Project in the community of Flankers, Montego Bay, on Monday evening.

"I tell you something even better, I am going to catch a lot of them before the election. Unfortunately, some might die in the process," he declared as the gathering laughed mockingly at the commanding officer's bold statement.

"There is also the possibility that some of my police officers might also die, but this is a job that we have sworn to do, and we will not stop until criminality is brought under control in the parish."

Hotbed of criminal activity

The parish of St. James has been a hotbed of increased criminal activity since last year, when 178 murders, the highest in any police division, were recorded.

Allegations of corruption have also been levelled against members of the division.

Flankers is among 15 inner-city communities to participate in the government project, which is expected to be completed over a five-year period and is geared towards improving social, economic and physical conditions.

The initiative is being funded through a US$25 million (approximately J$1.6 billion) loan from the World Bank.

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