Thomas
Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
ONTARIO, Toronto:
THE JAMAICAN police force is in high preparation for an early election and has already formulated plans to deal with any attendant problems.
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas told the Jamaican Diaspora in Toronto last Friday night that, based on the political climate in the island, the police force was anticipating an early general election.
STRONG POSSIBILITY
"There is a strong possibility that there might be a general election this year.We (police) all know the attendant problems associated with elections in Jamaica. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has already formulated plans to deal with situations," said Commissioner Thomas.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is expected to announce the date of his resignation today, opening the gate for the final lap in campaigning for presidency of the People's National Party (PNP) among the four candidates - Portia Simpson Miller, Dr. Karl Blythe, Dr. Peter Phillips and Dr. Omar Davies.
CONSIDER RETURNING
The next general election is constitutionally due in 2007, but Commissioner Thomas, who arrived in Toronto Friday morning, accompanied by Superintendent Lorna Wilson and his staff officer, newly-promoted Deputy Superin-tendent Donovan Graham, has already prepared his team.
Attired in several pieces of warm clothing to battle the freezing temperature, the commissioner told the over 350 Jamaican-Canadians that Jamaica was still a safe place to live, and they should consider returning.
"Do not make what is happening back home prevent you from coming back to Jamaica," said Commissioner Thomas.
He explained to the diaspora that the high incidence of murders was mainly concentrated in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine.
Last year, more than 1,650 persons were murdered in Jamaica, the worst in the history of the island.
But, despite the horrific murder rate, Commissioner Thomas told the gathering that, based on police intelligence, there was an 80 per cent chance that persons who were not involved in organised crime were not likely to be murdered.
PAY PRICE WITH LIVES
He also said that if the police could not apprehend persons who were directly involved in organised crime, then relatives or close friends would have to pay the price with their lives.
"When a deal goes sour, one person might be targeted for a reprisal killing, but in going after that person, or if they (the enemy) cannot find the intended person, the gunmen will instead choose to kill those closest to him or her. That is the reason for many of our multiple killings," the commissioner said.
