All major crimes down in Old Harbour except murders

The disclosure was made during Sunday’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in the town square.

In a message read on his behalf by Corporal William Graham, community safety officer for Old Harbour, the top cop for Old Harbour said the success was achieved through corporation between the police and citizens.

“As we approach the end of 2022 we can announce for this sub-division that with the exception of murders all major crimes have gone down,” said the experience crime fighter.

This, he continued, “could only have been achieved through the kind support of the Old Harbour communities, our residents, our business operators, our schools, our churches and our elected officials.

“I want to say a huge thank you for helping to make our community safer, and we are hoping that come the 31st December 2022, the figures remain unchanged.”

Up to December 17, 2022 a total of 33 murders have been recorded in the Old Harbour police zone, which falls under the St Catherine South Police Division. This far exceeds the 24 homicides recorded in the zone for all of last year.

Sixteen of the recorded homicides this year have been placed before the court, referred to as cleared-up by the constabulary.

However, data on the number convictions were not available.

Up to last Saturday there were 20 shootings, five robberies, 16 break-ins, three matters of larceny and six cases of rape reported in the sub-division.

He added that with the approximately 70 officers under his command he will endeavor to engage the public in the execution of their policing functions within the confines of the law and force orders.

“As I lead my team to strategically police the Old Harbour and surrounding spaces this festive season, I will do my best to ensure the highest level of policing is delivered,”  he said.

Aside from crime, DSP Harris urged citizens to remember the less fortunate, practice good driving habits and personal security risk management such as avoiding the temptation of moving about with large sums of cash unless extremely necessary.