By Erica James-King, Senior Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE TRELAWNY Police have increased their visibility at the community level and on the roads, in an effort, they say, to step up their crime-fighting strategies in the parish.
In Falmouth, which has seen a 50 per cent increase in robbery with aggravation, the lawmen explained that they are implementing extra-patrolling measures, additional spot-checks and the use of operation squad teams.
"Since late last year, the department introduced the Flag March, which is a large group of police patrolling different areas of the parish. We have been issuing warrants to persons we are in search of, conducting raids and spot-checks," Deputy Superintendent Karl Bowen outlined to The Gleaner. The police say that in the parish capital, there was no robbery with aggravation between January 1 and 23 last year, but the figure jumped to five in the corresponding period this year. DSP Bowen said there has not yet been an apprehension in connection with the robberies as evidence is pointing to a group of persons outside of the parish as the perpetrators. According to the senior police official, investigations into the robberies are pointing to the same "Toyota Gang" which has reportedly been terrorising businesses in St. James.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Jasmine Tomlinson-Brown, Police Chief for Trelawny, reveals that recently, consultations were held between the police and the business community in Falmouth to examine the concerns of that group and formulate solutions. She states that much of the concerns were based on unfounded rumours of additional robberies in Tre-lawny. As part of its ongoing community outreach effort, the police have invited residents of the parish to attend a public forum at Falmouth Town Hall 6 p.m. today.
The forum has become even moreso critical considering that there have been mounting fears in Clarks Town in Trelawny. "Even though there have been only two robberies in the area since the start of the year, the police are being hounded on a daily basis by residents. They are claiming to have seen suspicious persons travelling in cars and who allegedly have already carried out robberies in the area," Detective Corporal Fitzroy Reid of the Clarks Town Police told The Gleaner. According to Corporal Reid, there is no need for the community to panic, as there is no escalation in robberies. He is assuring the community that the Clarks Town Police have beefed up their crime-fighting strategies including foot and motorised patrol.
One shopkeeper in Duanvale was robbed of over J$30,000 while another shopkeeper a few chains away was relieved at gunpoint of J$7,000 , US$9 and 2 pieces of musical equipment. Reports are that four men travelling in a Toyota motorcar held up the proprietors and the police are examining links between that robbery and the others carried out by the alleged "Toyota Gang" in Falmouth and St. James.
"There is no need for residents to be fearful as crime in Clarke's town as well as the rest of Trelawny remains low." said Corporal Reid.
"The total number of cases coming before the police in Clarkes Town dropped from 153 in the year 2000 to 98 cases last year. The most common crime in the parish which is unlawful wounding declined significantly from 52 cases in the year 2000 to 35 cases in the year 2001. Last year there was only one murder and none since this year."
Deputy Superintendent Karl Bowen of the Police Headquarters in the Parish is giving the assurance that "the police have been keeping a keen watch on the crime scene, despite, the fact that Trelawny has experienced a low crime rate in comparison to other parishes. "
