Michael McLean, Gleaner Writer
SANTA CRUZ, St. Elizabeth
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER of Police (DCP) Jevene Bent says that police crime statistics over the past years indicate that youths, from the tender age of 12 years old, are the main perpetrators of criminal activity.
She said police crime figures show that 350 of the persons arrested for murder in 2005 are between the ages 12 and 25 years old. Seven of those arrested were within 12 and 15 years old in the previous year.
"In relation to St. Elizabeth, the crime statistics are painting a worrying trend," DCP Bent said during her address to clubbites at the annual general meeting and banquet of the St. Elizabeth Police Youth Club Council at the Luana Club and Restaurant on Saturday night.
"In 2004, 29 murders were committed but the numbers grew to 36 in 2005. Similarly, 40 cases of robbery were reported in 2004 and the number rose to 47 in 2005," the DCP in charge of administration said.
DCP Bent, who is also from Rose Hall district in the parish of St. Elizabeth, said close scrutiny of the figures indicated that 47 per cent of persons arrested for murder are 25 years old and below. Sixty-two per cent were within that same age group arrested last year.
The deputy commissioner told the young people that criminals are no longer operating by themselves or in small groups, but are now a part of a large highly-organised enterprise that applies corporate-style management competence to their organisations.
