Police say SOEs have been effective
Since 2019, there have been more than 100 murders in the St Andrew South Division, St James and Clarendon, despite the implementation of states of public emergency (SOEs) in the parishes.
Despite those alarming figures, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Orette Bascoe, told THE STAR that the SOEs have been effective for the most part.
“Since the start of the year, the country has been facing some significant challenges as it relates to crime statistics. The implementation of the states of public emergency in St Andrew South, St James and Clarendon have been reaping significant benefits where the crime rate is concerned,” he said. “Since the state of emergency, we have seen a vast reduction in the number of murders that have been committed.”
As of November 22, there have been 156 murders in St Andrew South, 133 in St James and 112 in Clarendon. St Catherine South and St Andrew have 106 and 89 murders, respectively.
Bascoe says though there are still murders that can be curtailed, the impact of the SOEs can’t be denied, as they have reduced crime to some extent.
He accentuates the fact that these numbers are drastically lower than they were before.
“While there are challenges in St Andrew South because of the SOE, there is a lull in terms of the fast pace in which the murders were recorded. Similarly, for St James … when you look at where we are now in comparison to two years ago at this time of the year, St James had over 300 murders. Now, St James is recording 133 murders here today,” he said.
He calls for the patience and participation of the citizens as the police work assiduously towards crippling the crime figures.
“Together, as we seek to forge more partnership with the citizens, we are hoping to see these figures trend lower. We want the citizens to work with us and be more patient with us as we go through and make Jamaica a safer place to live, work, and raise families,” he said.
– R.L.