SMITH Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator - News
Less than 24 hours after he publicised his cellular phone number in the media, Deputy Superintendent of Police Meveral Smith, the new crime officer for the volatile St. James Division, has already received a flood of telephone calls.
"Some of the callers include an attorney-at-law and a woman from as far away as St. Mary," DSP Smith disclosed to The Gleaner yesterday.
The officer, who Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas has charged with the responsibility of tackling the growing crime problem in the adjoining communities of Montego Bay, gave his 538-5760 number shortly after the announcement that he had been transferred to the Second City, effective March 5.
Murder capital
Last year 178 persons were murdered in St. James. The police said 70 per cent of the killings were concentrated in North West St. James constituency. The trend has continued this year, with the parish, more popularly known for its mega tourist attractions, now being dubbed the country's murder capital.
At least 32 persons, including a policeman, have been slain in the parish since January. The bloodletting has left thousands of residents fearful and crying out for help.
"I need the people to talk to me, because that is the only way the problem can be solved. This is not about me, this is a partnership between the police and the people, so I am encouraging more people to come forward and talk to us," said DSP Smith, who has already received significant resources to carry out his task.
As it relates to the calls already received by DSP Smith, Commissioner Thomas sees the development as a positive sign.
"Any officer who sees it necessary to publicise their telephone numbers so as to get help and the confidence of the people to fight crime, I believe it is a positive move," Mr. Thomas told The Gleaner yesterday.
Rich dividends
As a deputy commissioner in charge of crime, Mr. Thomas was among the first senior officers to publicise his telephone numbers, a move which later paid rich dividends.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields did it, and after the first week he admitted receiving over 100 phone calls from residents, some of whom were well-wishers; others provided vital information.
Commissioner Thomas announced the reassignment of 36 senior officers on Tuesday, a move aimed at tackling the escalating crime wave which is threatening to reverse the significant gains made by the police last year.
