KINGSTON:
SUPERINTENDENT NEWTON Amos, Head of the St. Andrew South Division, has reported a reduction in the use of illegal firearms in Tavares Gardens (Payne Land) and adjoining communities, since the introduction of the new crime initiative on December 1.
In an interview with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Superintendent Amos said that there have been two murders and "from our analyses, both resulted from the infliction of wounds by sharp instruments as opposed to firearms".
He said that the police would be employing "zero tolerance" to target carriers of knives, which would be as vigorous as the "get the guns" drive.
"We are not going to wait until it reaches a proportion which will be difficult for us to handle with immediate effectiveness," he added.
He said that, in addition to the 45-member police team that is manning the curfew in Tavares Gardens, officers have also been assigned to carry out several operations, including raids in other volatile communities.
Highlighting some of the social programmes being carried out to address the needs of residents, Superintendent Amos said that the police have cleared an area in the community, which will be used as a multi-purpose sports ground.
The Hunts Bay police invited children from the area to their annual Christmas treat and, on December 16, a member of the police party hosted a "cook out" for the youngsters.
In addition, approximately 100 children and senior residents received free health services by a team of junior doctors who worked in the community for two days.
One resident of Tavares Gardens said that she was glad for the social programmes. "In a lot of garrison areas, you don't really see these things happen. We would like to see what they are going to do to uplift the place," she said.
Responding to queries about the impact of the police presence on the community, she said, "If the police was not here, you would hear quarrelling and see people fighting. Now you can go out and come in without any interference. They could stay here and never leave 'cause its better protection."
The St. Andrew South division, which comprises Tavares Gardens, McKay Land, Anderson Crescent and Spanish Town Road, was the first region in which a curfew was mounted since the launch of the new crime initiative. The area is responsible for two thirds of the total crimes committed in Jamaica.
A total of 45 police officers are on the ground in the area.
Superintendent Newton Amos pointed out that, "in areas where there used to be quite a number of homicides, we are now experiencing some amount of calm".
He added, "At the divisional level, we fully support the crime initiatives although it means additional work for the police."
Sergeant Eric Witter, who has been manning the curfew said, "For the 17 days that we have been here, we have heard no gun shots. People are able to sleep peacefully. As a result, we are happy with what is going on."
Superintendent Amos asserts that, "police officers are willing to establish and maintain relationships with communities but it sometimes eludes us. We believe that what is taking place is a step in the right direction."
