By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
SPORADIC GUNFIRE, the presence of wanted criminals and reports of a gun factory are forcing the police hierarchy in Trelawny to pay closer attention to activities in the Racecourse/Falmouth Gardens area in Falmouth, which is now being viewed as a haven for home-grown and migrating criminals.
However, while the police are ready to take on the criminals, some of whom are said to be from neighbouring St. James, Superintendent Cecil Fletcher, the parish's commanding officer, said their efforts are being hampered by the swampy terrain and large lakes in the area.
"The Racecourse area is difficult to police because of the mangroves and swamps which dominate that community," Superintendent Fletcher said. "When they (the criminals) are pursued, they take refuge on an island located in the heart of a lake in the community.
"When they escape to the island, it is hard for the police to reach them," continued Superintendent Fletcher. "At the moment we are not sure what is the mode of transport to the island but our intelligence tells us that they are eluding the police by escaping there."
In regards to the alleged gun factory, Superintendent Fletcher said the police have credible information that criminals based in the Racecourse/Falmouth Gardens are making guns and distributing them to their cronies. He thinks that it is those guns that are being fired in the community.
MANUFACTURING THEIR OWN GUNS
"We have several reports of persons manufacturing their own guns and using these weapons as well," said Superintendent Fletcher. "As a result of the large-scale manufacture of home-made guns in the community, there are frequent incidents of guns barking both day and night.
"No one seems to have been hurt in those skirmishes," said Superintendent Fletcher, in explaining that the sporadic shooting might be a case of the shooters showing off their firepower and weapons. "Our intelligence is pointing to idle youngsters just shooting off their weapons to outgun each other or show off their skills at handling the weapons."
However, while Superintendent Fletcher is of the view that the shooters are merely showing off, some police personnel in the parish are painting a much different picture. According to them, Falmouth is now seeing an unprecedented spate of armed robberies as well as instances of persons being shot and injured but refusing to report the matter to the police.
Police data reveals that robberies in Trelawny have increased by over a 100 per cent, moving from the 11 that were recorded between January and May last year to 24 over the corresponding period this year. Murder has also moved up from four to six over the same period.
In the bid to arrest the situation, a SWAT team, which is operating around the clock, has been established to carry out raids as well as provide quick response to incidents in crime-prone areas.
