By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force working in Montego Bay, St. James, last Friday just before Hurricane Ivan hit Jamaica.
- HERBERT MCKENIS/Staff Photographer
SOME OF Jamaica's prominent civic and legal personalities have given high marks to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for a 'creditable' performance during Hurricane Ivan's walloping last week.
Executive director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), Dr. Carolyn Gomes, who has been critical of the police force at times, said her organisation sympathised with the four members of the police who were shot by gunmen on the weekend.
"We are upset over the injury of the four policemen, but given the circumstances under which they were asked to work, we believed they performed creditably," said Dr. Gomes.
Winston Dear, chairman of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, commended the lawmen for "a job well done." During the onslaught of the hurricane last Saturday, Mr. Dear said the police were able to apprehend two looters who were caught breaking into a building.
RAIN GEAR
Attorney-at-law Wentworth Charles said, from information received, some of the lawmen were without adequate rain gear, but in spite of this, they were out in the heavy rain and wind policing the streets.
"The members of the JCF must be commended for the exceptional job done, during the period leading up to the hurricane and after. It is no secret that they were required to perform their task under difficult circumstances, especially working in the darkness on the streets of the Corporate Area," remarked Mr. Charles.
Spanish Town Mayor Dr. Raymoth Notice said the organised and professional manner in which the lawmen carried out their function made the difference.
"What we now need to see is a continuous presence of the lawmen in the troubled communities; this should reduce the crime," commented Dr. Notice.
Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair also commended the police.
SUPERB
President of the Small Business Association, Andrea Graham, stressed that with the limited resources available to them, their performance was superb. This view was supported by Beverley Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). She said her organisation had nothing but praises for the police.
During the hurricane, police personnel were strategically placed at various points across the island, with others roving the streets. Back-up teams were on standby at nearby police centres.
These officers were being closely monitored by very senior officers based at the emergency control room, located at the Old Hope Road, St. Andrew, office of Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes.
According to the police, despite reports of over 20 cases of break-ins during the hurricane, quick action by its members has prevented widespread looting across the island.
REPORTED CASES
"Two of the major reported cases of looting took place at Courts in Ocho Rios, St. Ann and a variety store in May Pen, Clarendon," Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas told The Gleaner. At least 36 persons were arrested for looting.
Loses have been estimated at $1.5 million and $2.3 million respectively. An establishment in Hellshire, St. Catherine, was looted and, according to the police, the stolen property is valued at $2.5 million.
In central Kingston, acting deputy Superintendent Michael Hugh Phipps said there were no reports of any looting in the commercial district of downtown Kingston.
"We only have two reported cases of break-ins and that was on East Queen Street; so far we have arrested nine persons in
connection with both incidents," said Mr. Phipps.
Head of the Clarendon Police Division, Superintendent Terrence Bent, said about 20 persons have since been arrested in connection with looting across the parish during the
hurricane.
