Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

The police have put seven constituencies on their radar as areas of concern for election day, warning that guns remain in the communities.

Among the constituencies pointed to by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), was South East St. Andrew, where a man was murdered, yesterday, and two others shot and injured.

After a press conference held by the JCF to outline its plans for the general elections, Deputy Commissioner of Police Linval Bailey told The Gleaner that South East St. Andrew would be tightly secured as a result of acts of intimidation and violence that have occurred in the area leading up to the elections.

The other constituencies of concern, DCP Bailey told The Gleaner at the Police Commissioner's Old Hope Road, St. Andrew, offices, are West Central St. Andrew, South East St. Elizabeth, West Rural St. Andrew, West Portland, North Central Clarendon and West St. Thomas.

Gunned down

Ronald Murray, 38, was gunned down about 2:30 p.m. at his home while two other men were shot and injured on Mountain View Avenue - one of the communities - along with Woodford Park of South East St. Andrew - that are under the watchful eyes of the police.

"We are picking up that there are still guns in the communities," DCP Bailey said, "We are not seeing or getting (any) indication that they are being used for politics in any significant way. But our concerns remain because the guns are still out there."

Earlier this year, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas said, based on information received by the police, this election may be bloody and guns were being stockpiled in communities.

DCP Bailey added that guns have been introduced in constituencies such as South East St. Elizabeth, where the weapons may not have existed before.

"(We have) concerns that there may be attempts at intimidation, (and) there may be the possibility of confrontation between supporters," DCP Bailey said.

In addition, the Police High Command said some of the candidates of a few of the named constituencies have not set an example for supporters.

"I don't believe they (candidates) are helping the situation by guiding the people towards peace, togetherness and so on," he said.

Security measures

In an effort to avert a flare up of violence within these constituencies, and others, electoralroutes and polling stations will be manned by foot and mobile patrols supported by aerial security coverage.

At the same time, more than 20,000 security personnel, such as members of the Island Special Constabulary Force, district constables, Jamaica Defence Force along with the JCF, are expected to be on the ground on election day.

DCP Bailey said the security teams are expected to patrol the constituencies for up to nine hours as daily assessment of the area's political climate is reviewed and, if necessary, security would be increased or prolonged.

"We have pulled together all the heads of the critical agencies," DCP Bailey said at the press conference.

Among the JCF's security detail on Monday will be a command centre at the Commissioner's Office.

The police have also asked the public to be vigilant and to look out for suspicious activities within their communities.

shelly-ann-thompson@gleanerjm.com