BLACK RIVER:

The St. Elizabeth police are reporting an increase in criminal activities in the parish this year.

A breakdown of all major crimes reported in the St. Elizabeth police division for the period January to July 2007 has shown an increase in murder and break-ins over the corresponding period last year.

According to figures obtained from the statistics office of the Black River Police Station, 16 murders occurred in 2007, three more than the 13 in 2006.

Last year, 32 cases of break-ins had been reported to the police, this year the lawmen had 41 such cases on their hands.

SHOOTING, RAPES FALL

Const. Anthony Johnson from the Black River Police Station gave further breakdowns indicating that other crimes have been on the decrease. Shooting incidents and instances of reported rape, for instance, have fallen.

According to the constable, two more cases of shootings occurred last year, while there have been eight fewer rapes. Carnal abuse has also decreased, but the number of robberies, which stands at 13, has not changed.

With respect to break-ins, Johnson has indicated that there has been a downward trend recently.

"It is to be noted that in respect of break-in offensives, the month of July reflected a significant reduction in the number of break-ins committed across the division," he said.

RECORDS

"Our records suggest that there has been a reduction of more than 50 per cent when compared to the past three months," he added.

One of the evident trends, despite the downward spiral ofsome crimes, is that a number of persons who have witnessed some form of criminal activity in the parish are scared of the increase in the parish's murder rate this year. One such person is Marlon Legister who lives overseas.

Legister, in 2001, witnessed a double murder in the Black River area of the parish.

Constable Johnson also noted that with the sharp increase in the parish's murder rate, the police will be doubling their crime-fighting efforts to protect the residents on this side of the island.

- Rayon Dyer