Police extend Old Harbour curfew, expand boundaries

The revised 48-hour curfew began at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, and will remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15. The extension comes just two days after an initial curfew was imposed on Sunday, October 11, which had been scheduled to expire Tuesday evening.

Expanded Boundaries

The adjusted boundaries now encompass a substantially larger area of central Old Harbour and its surrounding communities:

• North: From Bowers Main Road into the Claremont Housing Scheme, comprising Old Harbour Glades, then towards Marlie Mount/Well Side Lane communities.
• East: East along Marlie Mount/Well Side Lane running southwest.
• South: From Board Jungle, including the areas of Old Harbour Villa, Smith Avenue, Patrick Street and Lafe Street, running along South Street main road.
• West: From South Street, including areas such as the Old Harbour Town Centre, Darlington Drive, within proximity of Burke Road, Africa, North Street, Succaba and Ascot Drive.

The expanded zone now brings several additional communities under curfew restrictions, including the Marlie Mount, Smith Avenue, Old Harbour Villa and Patrick Street — areas that had not been included in the original boundaries announced on Sunday.

During the hours of the curfew, persons within the boundaries are required to remain indoors unless otherwise authorised by the person in charge of enforcing the curfew.

Violence Prompts Escalation

The decision to extend both the duration and scope of the curfew follows a series of violent incidents that have heightened security concerns across the town. The latest outbreak saw at least two women shot and injured in separate incidents over the past week, while a man was shot dead and a woman injured during a drive-by shooting along Ascot Drive on Saturday evening — an area now included in the expanded curfew zone.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Romario Rankin, commander of the Old Harbour Police Subdivision, said the security measure was necessary in response to the recent spate of murders and shootings within the designated curfew zone.

Crime Figures Show Overall Improvement

Despite the recent flare-up in gun violence, DSP Rankin disclosed that the Old Harbour police subdivision continues to record significant reductions in major crimes when compared with the corresponding period last year.

As of publication, eight murders had been recorded across the subdivision, compared with 16 during the corresponding period in 2025—a 50 per cent reduction. Shootings have also declined considerably, with seven incidents recorded so far this year, compared with 16 over the corresponding period last year, representing a reduction of approximately 56 per cent.

However, the recent incidents have prompted the police to intensify their crime-fighting efforts in the affected communities.

Police Appeal to Residents

DSP Rankin has appealed to residents to exercise greater restraint when dealing with domestic disputes and interpersonal conflicts, urging individuals to seek peaceful resolutions rather than resorting to violence. He encouraged persons experiencing difficulties to resolve their differences amicably or seek the intervention of the police before disagreements escalate into serious criminal acts.

The police chief has also raised concerns about recent incidents of motor vehicle theft, warning owners to exercise greater vigilance in protecting their property. He noted that some recent cases have exposed vulnerabilities in vehicle security, with owners failing to implement basic protective measures.

Community Engagement

Beyond enforcement, DSP Rankin highlighted the importance of community engagement and social intervention in addressing crime. He pointed to the police-led "Soup on the Corner" social intervention programme as an effective initiative in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and communities.

The programme brings together residents and stakeholders from various sectors to engage in meaningful discussions on social issues and community concerns, with the aim of building trust and promoting peaceful conflict resolution.