Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer
LUCEA, Hanover:
PARISH OFFICIALS and residents in Hanover are expressing grave concern about last year's record murder toll in a parish which has reputedly been one
of the safest.
Twenty-four murders were committed in the parish in 2005, making it the first in the parish's history that the homicide figure had passed the 20-figure mark. Fourteen murders were committed in the parish in 2004, 16 in 2003, five in 2002, 15 in 2001 and nine in 2000.
Industry officials also fear that crime could hurt tourism and other investment prospects. One of those plans is the construction of one of the largest hotels in the island by Spanish group Fiesta Resorts in Lucea, as well as a Dolphin Cove attraction at Mosquito Cove.
SPOILING REPUTATION
"It is of serious concern because once it starts going up, it becomes a hard sell for the parish," Anthony Marks, president of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, told The Gleaner. "We want to make sure it stays as low as possible. It is very serious because when we spoke to the Hotel Fiesta group, what we sold to them was the fact that Hanover has a low crime rate. It was one of the things JAMPRO (Jamaica Promotions) pushed."
Mr. Marks has discussed his concerns with Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips to forge solutions to the problem.
IN JEOPARDY
In the meantime, Archibald Edwards, Social Development Commission parish manager for Hanover, said he, too, is worried about the upward trend in crime, and the negative effect this may have on the parish's investment opportunities.
"It is unusually high!" Mr Edwards said. "It is not good for the hospitality industry which is expanding in the parish now. I am very concerned because Hanover has been traditionally the safest parish in Jamaica and the crime threatens that reputation. It can affect investment because this is what investors tend to shy away from," he said.
Councillor of the Sandy Bay division, Lloyd Hill, believes some residents of the parish have contributed to the problem by sheltering wanted criminals.
Meanwhile, Councillor Sheridan Samuels, of the Cauldwell division, has trumpeted the call for Senior Superintendent of Police Reneto Adams to return to the "streets".
"We need to get Mr. Adams back on the road!" Councillor Samuels said. "Where it reach now we have to fight fire with fire. Mr. Adams is the only real crime fighter. He is the only one who can put some fear in the gunmen."
