( L - R ) Harris and McFarlane

WESTERN BUREAU:

Angry, frustrated, bewildered residents of Montego Bay, St. James, are calling for stronger measures against criminals to stem the carnage in the tourist capital.

"I have lived here for 40 years and the crime situation is really, really out of hand," said tour operator, Therese Smith. "I think somebody who can help us is Reneto (Adams), someone who the gunmen will fear."

Other concerned citizens expressed the same sentiments across the city yesterday.

Their calls follow Wednesday night's massacre of five men by armed thugs in Flower Hill, near Salt Spring. A sixth man was also injured in the shooting and has been hospitalised.

The victims are 32-year-old Huan Cole; Devroy Harris, 21; 51-year-old mason Lloyd Ishmael; Leston Morris, 32, also a mason; and Ranford McFarlane, a 39-year-old farmer.

Their deaths bring to 25, eight within a three-day period, the number of persons murdered in St. James since January. To date, at least 110 people have been murdered in the country over the past 25 days.

Beheaded

Harris was also beheaded and the body part found some four miles away in the vicinity of the Area One (Police) Control Centre, on Church Street in downtown Montego Bay.

Two other men were also shot and wounded in a separate incident in Mount Salem on Wednesday night. They are listed in critical condition at hospital.

"I thought by now the army would have saturated MoBay," said one businesswoman, who asked not to be named. "We are tired of this nonsense and the blatant disregard for life. Migration seems like a good option now."

Deputy Commissioner of Police Charles Scarlett, with responsibility for the intelligence portfolio, believes the situation can be reversed with more public support.

"I am in support of the view that crime only thrives in societies where criminals are given active and or passive support," DCP Scarlett told The Gleaner, following a meeting with officers in St. James.

"We are doing the best we can in terms of investigative and operational response, the situation is dynamic and we will continue to revisit strategies."

Croswell Taylor, retired head teacher:

"The police are only visible when incidents take place. I want to see a more proactive behaviour being undertaken by the security apparatus in this country. I would like to see immediate and swift punishment for people found with illegal weapons. Government should also revise bail procedure for offenders."

Rodie Rhoden, travel consultant:

"Government should employ people with psychological and social skills to provide a deep analysis of the situation. You cannot simply take a blanket approach and apply brute force."

Mark Kerr-Jarrett, Businessman:

"Government has to rectify the situation where violent criminals get bail to return to the streets and communities to kill again. The legal system must deal with their cases rapidly and put criminals out of society for long periods. The police force must be strengthened with manpower and resources.