Praedial Larcency Unit ramps up efforts for Christmas season
MINISTER of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green says the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Unit is ramping up efforts to tackle farm theft over the Christmas season.
“The ministry and the unit have increased our resources and strategies to combat this. We know that incidents of praedial larceny increase significantly during the Christmas season, so there is a need for both farmers and law enforcers to heighten awareness and precaution to tackle this now,” he said.
“This year, more than ever, we have to be extremely vigilant, especially with what has happened to our markets in relation to the recent rains. We are going to have to keep a keen eye out for persons who will see this as an opportunity to profit without putting in any work,” he added.
Minister Green was speaking at the Anti-praedial Larceny Prechristmas Training Programme held at the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Criminal Investigation Branch on Oxford Road, Kingston, on Wednesday.
Minister Green said that the unit has been experiencing some success in clamping down on this criminal activity, noting that there has been an increase in the arrests of perpetrators.
“Not only are we seeing renewed energy and focus, we are also seeing greater success. Last year at this time, we had about 39 arrests for praedial larceny. This year, we are at 69. That is a significant increase,” he said.
He commended the JCF for its renewed approach to praedial larceny, with officers specially assigned to tackle the scourge across the police divisions.
He said that the ministry continues its efforts to strengthen praedial larceny prevention by, among other things, increasing the number of motor vehicles across police divisions as well as coordinating operations with stakeholders in the sector.
The minister, meanwhile, has urged greater vigilance among farmers to secure crops and livestock and to report incidents of the crime.
“We find that a large amount of incidents of praedial larceny still go unreported largely because farmers believe nothing will be done… [but] let them know action will be taken when the reports come in and that we are taking the necessary steps to [address] these reports now that we have dedicated units that are staffed and tasked to act upon these reports,” he said.
The minister noted that “while we urge our farmers to protect their farms and livestock by ramping up security systems, the onus is on us to make sure we go out and investigate and catch the perpetrators of praedial larceny”.