Forbes... Help within 10 minutes.THE COMMISSIONER of Police, Francis Forbes, said yesterday that people who dial 119 for police assistance should get help within 10 minutes.
"Our operators at the 119 emergency line should answer you within 15 seconds. The police should be at the scene of the crime within 10 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas," Mr. Forbes said as he stressed the police force's commitment to helping citizens in trouble.
His comments came before Prime Minister P.J. Patterson handed over the keys of 100 new Toyota Corolla patrol cars to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Twenty-five of the vehicles went to the St. Andrew Central Division; 23 to St. Andrew South; 10 to St. Andrew North; 22 to Motorised Patrol; and 15 to St. James. Another 15 have been sent to the reserve pool.
"The deployment of these vehicles will allow you to respond more quickly to situations of crisis and, perhaps more importantly, they will also help to provide reassurance to citizens by increasing your presence within our communities," Prime Minister Patterson told senior officers during the handing over ceremony held on the lawns of the Commissioner's Office yesterday.
According to the Prime Minister, it cost the Government $83 million to acquire the cars, plus an additional $12 million to purchase two armoured vehicles.
He told the lawmen that they have a crucial role to play in helping to safeguard democracy, by doing all they can to ensure that the upcoming election period will be a peaceful one.
National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said the government would continue to strengthen the island's security forces.
Commissioner Forbes said that he has redesigned the patrol zones across the Corporate Area and St. Catherine, increasing it to 56 from 40. He warned his officers that the vehicles must be used to do police work on a 24-hour basis.
The Commissioner also said police were receiving up to 4,000 calls per day on 119 emergency lines. Some times it goes up to 10,000 on the eight-hour shifts, he said.
