New Old Harbour police commander makes stern pledge

His commitment comes as part of a broader effort to address rising crime and maintain law and order in one of Jamaica’s fastest-growing communities.

On January 20, ASP Rankin, alongside Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christopher Phillips, the commander of Area 5 and head of St Catherine South Police Division Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Leighton Gray, conducted a walkthrough of the town.

During the inspection, several street vendors were directed to relocate from the sidewalks and operate within the designated market area. This move is part of a larger strategy to restore order and ensure public spaces are safe and accessible.

In a media briefing following the walkthrough, ASP Rankin, who replaced former DSP Mark Harris, outlined his plans to tackle crime and maintain order.
“The public order team, for one, has been ramped up and they will be out here constantly to ensure that the town space is maintain and keep it at a safe level,” he said. “As it relates to our hotspots and persons of interests we have crafted a list and members who are featured on that list you can be promised that the team at Old Harbour along with myself, will be coming for you with the full force of the law because law and order must be maintained.”

Old Harbour is one of several communities under a 14-day State of Emergency (SOE) declared in police divisions including St. Catherine South, Kingston Western, St. Andrew South, and St. Andrew Central. The SOE, set to expire on February 5, was implemented in response to a surge in violent crimes, particularly murders, during the first half of January compared to the same period last year. Jamaica recorded 34 homicides in the first 11 days of 2025, an increase of eight compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. However, since the implementation of stricter security measures, the crime rate has declined, with 58 murders reported island-wide as of January 25, one fewer than the same period in 2024.

St. Catherine South, which includes Old Harbour, has the second-highest murder rate among police divisions nationwide, with 10 murders recorded so far this year – seven more than the previous year. Old Harbour alone accounts for four of these homicides. Despite increased security measures, including visible checkpoints throughout the southwest region, crime persists. A brazen gun attack on a playfield in the Burke Road area of ‘Africa’ on Sunday left one man seriously injured, highlighting the ongoing challenges.

In response, ASP Rankin announced plans to deploy additional security personnel, including soldiers, to bolster efforts in Old Harbour. Under the current SOE, a daily curfew from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am has been imposed.

“On the outskirts we will be definitely ramping up operational activities to ensure that we get back the space of Old Harbour,” warned ASP Rankin.

The police have also identified eight individuals as persons of interest, ordering them to report to the Old Harbour Police Station. One of the men, 27-year-old Lamar Myers, also known as ‘Duppy Mecca,’ has since turned himself in and remains in custody pending further investigation.

ASP Rankin also emphasized the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders, including vendors and the municipal authority, to establish long-term solutions and develop a sustainable protocol for maintaining order.