Westmoreland leads nation in crime reduction with 52% murder drop

WESTERN BUREAU:

While the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is celebrating a marked decline in major crimes across all divisions since the start of the year, the Westmoreland Division has even greater reason to celebrate recording the most significant reduction nationally, with a 52 per cent drop in overall crime.

Just last year, Westmoreland was considered one of the most dangerous parishes in the country, plagued by violence linked to an intense feud between two notorious criminal gangs – the King Valley gang, based in Grange Hill, and the Ants Posse gang. Their turf war contributed to a substantial share of the 100 murders reported in the parish in 2023.

However, speaking at a special presentation ceremony for justices of the peace in Savanna-la-Mar on Saturday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Othneil Dobson delivered a far more reassuring message to the parish’s law-abiding residents.

“You might see other divisions talking up their crime figures, but I say to you today that Westmoreland has the highest crime reduction across the country, a 52 per cent reduction in crime. We are the only division that shows an overall reduction of over 50 per cent,” said Dobson, in declaring that Westmoreland is now a much safer place than it was last year.

“As it relates to our murder figures, we are seeing a 59 per cent reduction in murders. We are currently at 21 murders. At this time last year, we were at 52. Shootings, a similar pattern, we are at 23; last year, we were at 55, that’s a 58 per cent reduction,” added Dobson.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Despite the police being on the front lines of the effort, Dobson credited the success not solely to law enforcement, but also to the support of the community.

“What has helped us over the period is the continued support of the citizens. With the numbers we have, we can’t do it on our own,” said Dobson. “Policing wasn’t designed to be done by just the members; it is the members working along with the communities to make the place safer ... . We are working towards that, and we look forward to completing this year with lower figures and to go even lower next year, and to ensure that Westmoreland continues to be a safe space for all of us.”

SSP Dobson also highlighted improvements in the division’s internal capabilities, citing the growing professionalism and tactical training of his officers.

“We are the division with the second-highest trained persons at Level Two. Level Two is tactical policing, and it has impacted our crime statistics significantly. Our gun recoveries are up, our ammunition recoveries are up, and our overall presence within the communities has increased,” said Dobson.

COMMENDATIONS

Senior Westmoreland Parish Judge Brodrick Smith, who was the guest speaker at the function, commended Dobson and his team for the work being done to make Westmoreland safe parish.

“I daresay, having met him and recognise the character in him, this is not an attempt to boast, this (Dobson highlighting the parish’s crime statistics) is an attempt to encourage us that we cannot feel defeated by what we confront, we must be prepared to be the change we desire,” said Smith.

Westmoreland Custos Reverend Hartley Perrin, who was at the forefront of calling for more police resources to fight the lawlessness in the parish as criminals roamed with impunity last year, was a relieved man as he praised the efforts of the police since the start of this year.

“Westmoreland would like to congratulate the senior superintendent and the men and women under his command for the phenomenal job that they have been doing, especially in recent times. All of us remember how Westmoreland was the place where everybody feared,” said Perrin. “Kingstonians didn’t want to come to Westmoreland because [of], they said, too much crime, too many killings ... . I don’t think they can justly say that any more, and we are grateful for this,” he added.

editorial@gleanerjm.com