St Catherine South Police Division sees 32% dip in major crimes

Murders, shootings, robberies and break-ins have all declined up to the end of March 31, 2023 when compared with last year’s corresponding period. However, major crimes such as rape remain the same, while larceny made a dramatic leap of a 100% with five recorded so far.

There was a four percentage fall in murders with 23 homicides recorded since the start of the year, while shooting dropped by 13 percent after 26 of such incidents were reported. However, the biggest success was observed in break-ins and robberies which fell by 80 and 61 percent respectively. Between New Year’s Day and the end of March only five break-ins were registered, 20 less than the same period last year, while 17 less robberies occurred in the division as only 11 happened.

When tallied the crime fighters noted a 32% fall in all major crimes in the division with 78 criminal acts committed compared to 115 during the same period in 2022.

The information was revealed by Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, commander in charge of the St Catherine South Police Division.

SSP Phillips was speaking at a virtual town hall meeting Sunday organized by the division.

The disclosure coincided with yesterday’s announcement by Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson, who revealed that major crimes nationally have declined by 22 percent for the first three months of the year.

“We, however, continue to see a shift in the attribution of murders with the reduction in the gang-related murders relative to interpersonal conflict. As at March 31, gang conflicts accounted for 67 per cent of these murders, interpersonal conflicts accounted for 22 per cent, while four per cent occurred in the furtherance of other criminal activities, and seven per cent are still being determined,” said the nation’s police chief before adding: “We have been seeing encouraging signs that communities are less willing to accept criminals in their midst. The strategy of our commanders and their teams to be closer to their communities and build relationships is working. We do not regard these efforts as an event but as an ongoing part of our policing plan.”

Meantime, SSP Phillips says the police are continuing its investigation amid efforts to dismantle 19 gangs established in the division from Portmore, Central Village and Old Harbour.

Five of those are based in the police’s sub-division of Old Harbour, namely: East Bay/Nyam Nyam, Skang Bang, Sparta, Africa and Ants Man gangs.

During his overview of the quarter, SSP Phillips also noted that 381 cases were placed before the courts for adjudication with 74 ending in convictions.

And in light of recent gun attacks by armoured couriers in Portmore, SSP Phillips again reiterated calls for the business community to invest more in security best practices.

“We want to recommend to our business operators to look seriously on the installation of CCTV. The monitoring of your entry points with your business. We’re taking about persons coming into your locations dressed in hoodies, dark glasses and mask on, you’d want to set some policies and make it mandatory for them to show their face before they get into your business,” he said.

Meanwhile, four persons are still missing from 39 missing person reports filed during the period. Thirty-five of those reported missing have returned home.

With regards to sexual offences committed in the division, the police are reporting that 32 of 41 cases have been placed before the courts. Rape continue to lead this category with eight cases reported, but of important note is that five have been cleared up by investigators.