Sergeant Paul Bernard displays an M-16 A1 assault rifle which was seized on Sunday afternoon, in Flower Hill, St. James. - Monique Hepburn Photo
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHILE MOST persons are hoping for health and prosperity in 2005, for Area One crime chief, Superintendent John Morris, finding a solution to St. James' notorious crime problem must be on top of his wish list for the New Year.
After breaking the 100-murder barrier for the first time with 106 killings in 2003, St. James is having an even more brutal 2004, with two days to go before the year ends. The murder count stands at 129 horrifying statistics for the parish that is the nation's tourism capital.
"Unless we get the crime situation under control, we will never realise our potential as a parish," said businessman Errol Lamey, the chairman of the Mt. Salem initiative, Restoring Enjoyable Living In Each Family (RELIEF). "I understand and sympathise with the police because they do have a tough task. However, they must find a solution to this problem."
While the police have had relative successes in recovering illegal weapons and in putting away notorious criminals such as former FBI most-wanted Hopeton 'Sandokhan' Brown, long-term stability has eluded them, despite various initiatives including one forged with the Montego Bay business community in mid-July.
NO BACKING DOWN
"Our mission is to make St. James a safe parish for the residents and we won't be backing down," said Morris, in a recent interview with Western Focus. "We have penetrated most of the problem areas and we do believe we now have the criminals on the run."
However, based on five gun-related murders committed in and around Montego Bay in the 48 hours between Christmas and Boxing Day, 2005 could be another year of horror in St. James unless ways are found to silence the illegal weapons now in the hands of the lawless.
Those killed over the Christmas period have been identified as 21-year-old Avando Powell, 38-year-old Ronald Lettman, 44-year-old Patrick Wellington and two other men who still remain unidentified. The unidentified bodies were discovered in the Albion area by passers-by, who alerted the police.
The police had some measure of success over the period, with the recovery of an M16 assault riffle in an operation in the Flower Hill area on Monday. No arrests have been made in connection with the seizure of the weapon which was found wrapped in newspaper in an open lot.
