WESTERN BUREAU:BUSINESS INTERESTS in Montego Bay, concerned over what they say is a rising level of crime and violence, are calling for additional police to be dispatched on the streets of the resort town."We find the crime situation here in this town very disturbing," said Mark Kerr-Jarrett, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce. "A decision was taken at a recent executive meeting of the Chamber to request at least 60 more officers from the next batch of police graduates for the streets of this city."
According to Mr. Kerr-Jarrett, crime is of great concern and all citizens have to do their part in fighting it. He said that the issue will be on the agenda at the upcoming directors meeting of the Chamber and said that his organisation will try to hammer out an action plan to aid the fight against crime.
President of the Montego Bay Cruise Council, Lee Bailey, is also concerned about what he called the level of hostility that has been so blatant among residents and warned that the local tourism product could be adversely affected.
"Any law abiding citizen in this town must be seriously concerned and alarmed at what has been taking place," Mr. Bailey said. "If this thing continues, it could very well spill over into the tourism industry and at that point we might as well dig a big hole for all of us."
Meanwhile, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for North West St. James, Dr. Horace Chang, in advocating for the implementation of new policing methods, said that the situation in Montego Bay required a more focused approach by the authorities. His suggestions include the upgrading of the Special Anti-Crime Task Force into a full unit under a strong crime fighting superintendent and the combining elements of the Special Task Force, the CIB, special branch. The police are, however, reporting that some 32 illegal guns have been seized in St. James since the start of this year. This is an increase, they say, of nine weapons over the same period last year. And according to their figures, 29 murders have been reported in the parish, since the start of the year, as compared to 12 last year. Shooting incidents reported between January and July have been increased from 14 in 1999 to 52 over the same period in 2000. The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said these shootings are mostly gang related. Just days ago, the residents of Farm Heights and Canterbury in Montego Bay, were stunned by several violent acts in their communities. Two people were killed and two others wounded by gunmen.
