One-year-old Hopewell Police Station making its mark with smart technology
Published:Friday | March 14, 2025 | 12:08 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
One year after it opened its doors to the public, the Hopewell Police Station in Hanover is now getting high marks as it is being credited for the significant decline in the lawlessness that once plagued the community and its neighbours.
Addressing a ceremony held yesterday at the police station, which was staged to mark its first anniversary of operation, Deputy Superintendent of Police Keble Simms, the second in command for the Hanover Police Division, said the presence of the facility has led to the effective management and curtailing of criminal activities.
“[According to] the statistics as we saw it for 2024, Hopewell recorded three murders, two shootings, one case of robbery, two rapes, two aggravated assaults, five break-ins and one incident of larceny,” said Simms. “So far this year, we have recorded two shootings, one rape and one break-in. This is a significant departure from what obtained in 2024.”
In speaking to the wider Hanover, Simms said the parish, which recorded 48 murders, has seen only three homicides since the start of 2025, which is four less than the comparative period last year.
“This reduction is as a result of the collective efforts of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) officers right across the length and breadth of the Hanover division,” said Simms. “The commitment of the police across the division is to continue on the downward trajectory.”
Speaking specifically to the Hopewell Police Station, which was the first fully smart technology-driven police station in Jamaica, Simms heaped praise on retired Superintendent Sharon Beeput, who was the visionary behind the creation of the police station, conceptualising and lobbying for the establishment.
“She exhibited tremendous passion for the establishment of this police station at Hopewell, and I think it was conceptualised out of her vision for the need of the facility in the area,” he said.
Inspector Nadine Murray-Brown, who oversees the one detective sergeant, one regular sergeant, four corporals and 12 constables stationed at the police station, said technology is playing a great role in the operations there.
“Technology and innovation play an important role in our day-to-day activities, and as we leverage technology to enhance crime fighting and efficiency, we explore innovative solutions community policing,” said Murray-Brown. “With the technology-driven policing strategies and the collaboration of the residents of the area, we are expecting to see a continuation of the reduction in crime.”
During the function, some 16 Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members of varying ranks, and two civilian workers at the facility, were recognised for their contribution towards the control and reduction of crime and violence in the areas covered by the police station; and the vast improvement in the police/public relationship.
When the police station was opened on March 15, 2024, Major General Antony Anderson, a former commissioner of police, labelled it the first “smart technology-driven station” in Jamaica as it was furbished with gadgets required to facilitate smart technology.