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I Love MoBay Foundation to introduce ‘Movies in the Park’ with Disney’s Zootopia

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Steadfast in its belief that community interaction is a sure recipe for success, the newly formed ‘I Love MoBay’ Foundation will be bringing a lot of love –Disney love – to the Old Hospital Park, Montego Bay, this Friday.

The Foundation, which was formed earlier this year, and against the backdrop of all the problems that were plaguing St. James, especially in the tourism capital of Montego Bay, will be hosting a special screening of the Disney animated film ‘Zootopia’, which will be free for families.

The screening marks the start of a free-admission monthly movie series by the St. James-based non-profit organization.

According to chairman of the I Love MoBay Foundation, Douglas Gordon, the event falls under the organization’s five pillars for renewal of the city of Montego Bay.

“It is really to bring families together to have a really nice family night in Montego Bay that’s accessible to all and allows people to just come together… It will be held the last Friday of every month,” Gordon explained.

“We are going to give the first 300 children free popcorn.  It is an open-air event; we will have bouncy castles and stuff for kids. There will be vendors selling hotdogs and popcorn and stuff like that there.   We will bus in kids from three different communities – Mt. Salem, Norwood and Green Pond,” he added.

Gordon said apart from the monthly movie screenings, the Foundation has a large number of other social programmes set to be rolled out throughout the rest of the year under its five core pillars.

“We have five core pillars: education and mentorship; sports; entertainment, arts and culture, civic pride and environmental awareness…  under which we have built the initiative. So we have different activities in each one of those pillars that will be rolled out in the next couple of months,” he said.

“We have a mentorship speaking series that we are going to roll out in partnership with Junior Achievement; we have a partnership with the MoBay United Football Club that we are going to roll out; we have a partnership with the Basketball Association; we have one with Gloves over Guns in boxing… that we are going to be rolling out in short order,” he stated.

The I Love MoBay Foundation was officially launched on February 8 this year.  It aims to showcase, celebrate and engender pride in the city of Montego Bay.

Among the Foundation’s partners are Sandals Resorts, Billy Craig Insurance Company, itelBPO, the Spanish Court Hotel, OCEAN Style, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), Sun Island, Mello FM, the Travel Foundation and Junior Achievement JA.

Food For the Poor donates new school building

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HAMPDEN INFANT SCHOOL: The new building that will house the toddlers from Hampden Primary School’s Infant Department, located in northern Trelawny. The building includes spacious classrooms, proper sanitation, an office, sick bay and fully-equipped kitchen facilities. Additionally, the new building will have all the necessary educational modules including child-friendly furniture, playground equipment and security fencing.

Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC) has partnered with FFP Jamaica to mark their 10th Anniversary with the construction of a new building for the Infant Department of the Hampden Primary & Infant School in Trelawny.

Through the generosity and dedication of its volunteers and donors, FFPC has grown steadily over the past decade, building 28 schools in Jamaica, 80 homes in Haiti and Jamaica, shipping tens of millions of dollars’ worth of medicines, medical equipment, food and educational supplies, supporting numerous livestock projects, and providing emergency relief after natural disasters.

“Canadians are so generous and passionate, they have taken to heart Food For The Poor’s holistic system of sharing: It takes a village to build a village. By building a school this week, we are building both the structure and the opportunity for this village in Trelawny, and next month we will celebrate the opening of the village of Bezin in Haiti – with 30 new homes, a chicken farm, and community water and light,” shared Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Canada.

GRATEFUL: Her Excellency Laurie Peters, Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, is pleased to share in a group photo with grateful students from Hampden Primary and Infant School located in northern Trelawny, moments after the official handing over of a new school building to house the Infant Department. A team of approximately 20 donors and volunteers associated with Food For The Poor (FFP) Canada and FFP Jamaica recently participated in the construction and handing-over ceremony as part of the former’s 10th anniversary of working with communities in the Caribbean

The school’s Infant Department provides free education to the youngest in the community. Demonstrating their commitment to changing lives through learning, volunteers raised the funds to cover the construction of a school that includes three classrooms, a playground, a water catchment system and a kitchen. Along with the team and contractors of sister charity FFP Jamaica, Canadian volunteers took leave from their busy schedules to hammer and paint under the hot sun. Energy was high as the building went up, as students and teachers watched while expressing excitement about this new space.

“Hampden Primary School is finally getting a building for our Infant Department, something we have wanted for many years now. I am so excited and I know it will make a big difference in the lives of the children and the community… Many thanks to the Canadian donors and Food For The Poor,” were the remarks from the Principal, Mr. Richard McLaughlin and Senior Teacher, Mrs. Dawn Gordon Pinnock.

In thanking FFP Canada for its contribution over the years, Chairman of FFP Jamaica, Mr. Andrew Mahfood, said, “As the late great former South African President, Nelson Mandela, once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.’ Even though there is so much more work that needs to be done, we are so grateful to FFPC and their donors for their invaluable commitment to helping to improve our education facilities and to making Jamaica a better place for our children.”

The opening ceremony, on April 12, 2018, had strong Canadian representation, as the previous High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica and FFPC’s current Board Chair, Robert Ready, spoke of work done by Canadians over the last 10 years. The current High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Laurie Peters, followed, aptly touching on the centuries-old relationship between the two countries.  The celebrations ended with a ribbon cutting to officially open the new building.

Reusable bottles for Corinaldi Primary

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The students of the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School pose with the Earth Guardians of Sandals, proudly displaying their reusable water bottles.
  • Sandals act of greenness on Earth Day

Sashane Shakes

In observance of World Earth Day, representatives from the three Sandals Resorts in Montego Bay distributed reusable water bottles at the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School on Monday, April 23, 2018.

The environmentally charged venture was in an effort to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles among school children. Present were staff from Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Inn.

“We’re glad to be at Corinaldi Avenue today and we’re happy that they facilitated us. As usual, we want to raise awareness so they in turn can spread the message to their friends and families on how to end plastic pollution,” stated Haniff Richards, Environmental Health & Safety Manager for Sandals Montego Bay.

The team from Sandals, Earth Guardians, as they referred to themselves, delivered a brief but informative lecture on the dangers that plastics pose to our environment.

Kadeen Black from Sandals Montego Bay presents a student with a tote for having answered her question correctly. Black delivered the presentation on the dangers plastic pose to the environment.

The lecture included fun and captivating question and answer sessions in which the children were awarded with environmentally friendly, durable, reusable totes to lessen their use of plastic bags. The Earth Guardians also informed the students on creative, do-it-yourself ways to reuse plastic containers.

Sharing their thoughts on what they learnt from the presentation, one student recalled, “When we pollute the land with plastics it can go out into the sea and cause the destruction of marine life”. Another stated, “It is better to use the reusable bottles and bags rather than the one-time use of plastic bottles and lada bags that pollute the environment”.

Khadene Daley, Sandals Resorts Regional Public Relations Manager, addresses the students on the importance of caring for the environment.

But Corinaldi Avenue Primary will not be the only schools to benefit from this venture as Richards mentioned that, “Across the Caribbean we are giving away over 500,000 reusable water bottles to primary schools in the region. We are happy to be a part of Sandals Foundation and the Environmental Club in general.”

World Earth Day was celebrated on Sunday, April 22.

Phillip Green photos

NURSE GUNNED DOWN

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Kameka Williams-Harding

A practical nurse is reportedly the 50th murder victim for the parish of Westmoreland, which has been rocked by almost daily killings since the start of the year.

The deceased, who has been identified as 29-year-old Kameka Williams-Harding, also known as ‘Meka’, of Seaton Crescent, Sav-la-Mar, was killed on Monday night.

It’s reported that about 11:20 p.m., Harding and her husband were at home when strange sounds were heard coming from outside. Seconds later, the back door to their dwelling was kicked open by the three hoodlums who gained entry and opened fire.

Police report that the husband, despite being chased and shot at by the thugs, managed to escape unhurt.

However, the gunmen returned to the home where they shot ‘Meka’ several times, mostly to her upper body.

No motive has been established for the killing by the police, who indicate that they had had no early clues.

THREE SHOT AT GRAVE-DIGGING

In the meantime, three men narrowly escaped death after they were shot and injured by unknown assailants on Sunday, April 22, during a grave-digging exercise in the parish.

The grave-digging was for Hyacinth Beckford, who was shot and killed in her home in Whitehall, Negril, three months ago.

The shooters attacked the group of mourners and vendors about 10 a.m., hitting three.

The injured were taken to hospital where they were treated.

Their conditions are not said to be life-threatening. The gunmen escaped on foot in the area.

Star witness killed

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Fahdean Ferguson

Friday night’s killing of two men in Spring Mount St. James could have a crippling effect on an ongoing murder case in the St. James Parish Court.

This as the star witness in the Mario Deane murder trial, 24-year-old Fahdean Ferguson, otherwise called ‘Street Man’ of Spring Mount, was among two gunned down at the start of the weekend. The other man has been identified as 23-year-old Odaine Graham, a mason of Dam Road, John’s Hall, both in the parish of St. James.

A police source says a 28-year-old mechanic of Maroon Town was also shot and injured in the incident, as well as a woman.

According to reports, shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday, five persons, including the two deceased, were among persons gathered at a popular shop along the roadway in the Spring Mount community, when a dark motorcar reportedly drove up and the occupants, armed with high-powered weapons, opened gunfire.

The police were called to the scene where Ferguson was found dead, and Graham was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) where he died while undergoing treatment. The third man is said to be in critical condition.

Odaine Graham

Ferguson, who was reportedly a witness to the beating death of Mario Deane in police lockup in August 2014, escaped from police custody on September 13, 2014 while being held at the Barnett Street station.

Meanwhile, responding to queries about how the death of the witness would affect the outcome of the case, Director of Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn, when contacted for a comment, indicated that under section 31 of the Evidence Act: A statement given by a person in a document shall be admissible in criminal proceedings as evidence of any fact of which direct oral evidence by him would be admissible, if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that a person is dead.

She said this means that the admissibility of the evidence given previously by the witness would allow for the case to proceed unhindered.

The killing pushes the murder tally in the parish of St. James to 19.

Following the shooting, a heavy detachment of police was deployed to the area.

The shooting caused a lengthy delay for travelers and taxi-seekers from the Tucker, John’s Hall Spring Mount, Springfield, Maroon Town, Maldon, Tangle River and other surrounding areas, as taxi operators were prevented from carrying out their duties as police cordoned off sections of the area to carry out their investigations.

HANOVER HAPPENINGS – A word of caution to Supt. Sharon Beeput

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Supt. Sharon Beeput

Craig Oates

It’s no secret that I have openly praised the work of Superintendent Sharon Beeput since her transfer to Hanover to take over the parish’s daunting crime situation, which was way out of control when she got here. Beeput, along with her team of committed officers, have been doing well to earn the confidence of the parish’s citizenry and also the men and women in uniform whom she leads. However, she cannot rest on her laurels; she will need to be consistent if these gains are to be maintained because last week alone has shown that whilst the guns have gone silent, they definitely have not gone dead.

Two women were shot dead and five other persons injured in two separate attacks carried out by gunmen in the parish on Thursday. Those killed are Ronda Smith, a 38-year-old resident of Salt Spring, St James, otherwise called ‘Suzie’, and Barbara Gilpin, a 58-year-old woman. The first attack took place about 10:20 p.m. Smith, another female and three males, were walking in Green Island, Hanover, when they were held up and shot by two armed thugs.

The injured persons were assisted to hospital where Smith was pronounced dead on arrival, and the others were admitted in stable conditions. Less than two hours later, gunmen struck in the Cousins Cove community, where Gilpin was killed and a man who was in her company was shot and injured. The police said they received calls that a house was being shot up in the New Town area of Cousins Cove. On their arrival, Gilpin and her companion were seen with gunshot wounds. Gilpin had wounds to her upper body and the man to his left leg and thigh.

Both were assisted to hospital where Gilpin was pronounced dead on arrival, and the man admitted in stable condition.

This wanton bloodletting has again thrown the parish in a tail-spin and has gotten many residents afraid. The hardworking superintendent needs to ensure that this current crime trend is a one-off situation and that it doesn’t happen consistently. Beeput, who took up command of the then crime-infested parish in March last year, did so at a time when there was a 500 percent increase in crime over the previous year, 2016. By the end of the year, it was down to about 13 percent (decrease over the previous 12 months). This was not achieved by the police alone, but with great partnership from civil society, which was just not pleased with the high level of violence that existed.

In 2015, there were 60 murders versus 53 in 2016, a decrease of seven. A breakdown of the crime figures for 2017 by the five police divisions in Hanover revealed that Lucea, the parish’s capital, recorded 27 murders; Sandy Bay, six murders; Green Island, 11 murders; Kingsvale, 14; and Ramble, 2. The questions then need to be asked: What are the socio-economic factors that drive criminality? Why is it that Lucea has high numbers of shooting incidents? Is the gang violence as a result of lottery scamming? The point can be made that lottery scamming is prevalent all over the parish, so why is there a concentration of shootings in the Lucea and Green Island Divisions? Twenty-one firearms were also recovered during the year, along with approximately 130 rounds of ammunition.

SOME COPS TOO COMFORTABLE

It is obvious that some police officers are comfortable in their current positions. Many are stationed at the police station for years, which has led to complacency. The parish needs a reshuffling of personnel. Officers complain that the ones who do the work are the ones who are forgotten when promotions come around. Some officers have no cases before the courts whilst some have far too many. Driving through Hopewell and Lucea, the traffic situation is very bad. Who is assigned to address traffic in Hopewell? Are there cops assigned? If so, why is the bus park not being used? One of Hanover’s most feared cops, Corporal Tingling, was recently transferred from the Sandy Bay Police Station. Tingling, a veteran of the Force, drives fear in criminal elements in the Sandy Bay area. Why was he transferred to Lucea? If senior officers like these can be moved around like a football, then other officers will be less motivated to perform. There are other scenarios that I am going to look at over the next few weeks, especially the situation at the Sandy Bay Police Station, where some cops have told me personally that they are not comfortable. Miss Beeput needs to address these issues. Again, she has my full support but if she eases her feet off the pedal, more women and kids will die. It is very important that cops in the parish are made comfortable so they can protect us from criminal elements.

 crgoates@yahoo.com

 

2018 Festival song finalists chosen

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Minister Olivia Grange, Minister Alando Terrelonge and Interim Executive Director of the JCDC, Orville Hill, pose with the nine other finalists of the 2018 Jamaica Festival Song Competition.
  • Church choir among finalists

The 2018 edition of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition continues to be one for the history books, from the record number of entries received to a church mass choir being named among the finalists. The choir along with the other nine finalists were selected at the competition’s semi-final concert, supported by a full house at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and with over 20,000 online viewers on Saturday, April 14.

Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the concert saw the 30 semi-finalists go head to head for one of the coveted top ten spots as they tried to outperform each other in front of a global audience that included viewers from Mexico, USA, Canada and Australia. The choir makes history as the largest group to enter and make it into the final round of the competition.

The top ten entries are: 

  • Strong Jamaican written by Patrick Kitson and performed by Escarpment Road New Testament Church of God
  • Jamaica A Wi Home written and performed by Oneil Scott with;
  • Hands on your Heart, written by Karel Wisdom, M. Bennett and G. Wright and performed by Karel Wisdom
  • The Type of Jamaica written and performed by Radcliffe Palmer
  • Jamaica Wi Rich written and performed by Victor Richards
  • I Love Jamaica written by Sheea-Ann Hewan and performed by Roger Mendez
  • Jamaica You Nice Enuh written and performed by Tanice Morrison
  • Jamaica’s Formula written and performed by Everton Pessoa
  • Wi Big All Around written and performed by Dennis McKay
  • Let’s Do It Jamaica written and performed by Courick Clarke

“For over 50 years, this Competition has enriched our community of local talent with meaningful exposure, on a local and even international stage. We have made every effort to make this year’s competition bigger and better than before. This year we have seen a record number of more than 200 entries. That tells me that Festival Song is alive and well. And we have pulled out all the stops to ensure that we have a record prize package of ten million dollars so I am sure that success in this competition will be a life changing experience for the winners.” Said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon. Olivia Grange.

Grange further stated that following on their selection, the top ten finalists will now participate in a series of performances across the country. This Road Tour will lead up to the Competition’s Grand Final in July, at which time the ultimate song, the one that will form the soundtrack for Jamaica’s 56th anniversary of Independence, will be selected.

 

Jaguars snatch NBL title

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Delighted team members look on as deputy captain at the Granville Jaguars team, Levar Rose, accepts the winning trophy from President of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) Paulton Gordon following their victory in the NBL Western Conference finals played on Saturday at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. Jaguars won the game 68-65. - Noelita Lawrence photo

Noelita Lawrence

The exciting Dave Black provided the killer lay-up and completed an and-one play to steer favourites, Granville Jaguars, to the glory in the final of the Jamaica Basketball Association Western Conference National League.

In the championship game played out at the Montego Bay Cricket Club on Saturday evening (April 14), Jaguars held off a spirited Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights, 68-65, in an entertaining and competitive affair.

By virtue of reaching the final, both teams also gained qualification to the NBL playoffs scheduled to get underway sometime next month.

The contest lived up to its hype and provided much excitement, as both teams gave as good as they got, with stalwart defensive plays and some flamboyant individual showings among the many highlights.

The National duo of Levar Rose and Black, led the way for the Jaguars with a combined 44 points, a game-high 23 and 21 respectively.

Knights started out positively and held a healthy 19-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, however, the Jaguars, with a wealth of scoring power in their line-up, rallied beautifully in the second quarter to take a narrow three-point (35-32) advantage to the halftime break.

Ball handler Ralique Grant, with a couple of drives and easy lay-ups, and points coming from Karlington Barrett, saw the Knights rallying as they trimmed the Jaguars’ lead to a mere point, (49-48) heading into the fourth and final quarter.

As both teams pushed for the winner, the final quarter proved pulsating with the opponents battling each other for points and going on runs during various stages of the quarter.

Jaguars, determined to seal the win and with more scoring power, went on a 7-1 run in the opening stages of the quarter and seemed on their way, before the Knights surged with a run of their own to claw their way back into the contest.

Schoolboy Brendan Dawkins, who came off the bench for the Jaguars, was instrumental in the run, getting four of his points along with three strong defensive plays.

Dave Black leads the charge as the Knights’ Jamoi Richards trails closely behind

SHOCKING SUBS

However, as time ran out, Jaguars showed grit while the Knights, fueled by some eye-opening substitutions, wilted under the pressure as they lived and died at the three-point line, all while their opponents were in foul trouble.

Knights twice had the chance to cut the score to just one with just under 45 seconds remaining, but on each occasion, they attempted three-point shots which were not falling.

The Knights attempted more than 15 three-point shots during the match, many of which failed to connect.

Their final attempt at a basket was also a three-point effort which hit the side of the rim and rebounded.

OTHER SCORERS

During the match, double-double specialist for the Jaguars, veteran Leroy Lawrence, just missed out on adding another sequence as he scored 8 points and hauled down 10 rebounds.

For the Knights, Grant and Barrett each scored a team-high 14 points, while captain Jhuan Bryan added 11.

The influential Rayon Gardiner, who had been leading the attacking line for the Knights during their run to the final, was restricted to just 8 points, but snatched 14 rebounds.

The teams will now start their preparation work for participation in the All-Island playoffs.

 

 

‘Ratty’s’ reign of terror ends

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Ryan 'Ratty' Peterkin, the once feared leader of the Ratty Gang
  • Residents still fearful

Ryan ‘Ratty’ Peterkin’s reign of terror in the Cambridge and Retrieve areas of South St. James came to a crashing end on Saturday when he was cut down in a daring confrontation with the security forces. One of his alleged cronies was also shot and killed.

Named among the nation’s top five Most Wanted earlier this year, ‘Ratty’ reportedly fled his place of safety following the enforced State of Public Emergency, established in St. James back on January 18.

Reports are that a joint police/military team went to a house in Berkshire, St. Elizabeth, to issue an arrest warrant for Peterkin. On the approach of the arrest team, the fugitive and another man opened fire and attempted to evade capture. A shooting confrontation ensued and Peterkin and his accomplice were shot.

The two men were pronounced dead at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital. One AK47 rifle with two magazines and 12 live rounds, as well as one .38 Revolver, were recovered from the scene. The matter has been reported to the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

Some of the items recovered from Peterkin’s body at the time of his death.

SEVERAL MURDERS

Peterkin, the reputed leader of the notorious ‘Ratty Gang’, which has been linked to several murders committed in the parish, held the area under siege up until January this year and had managed to evade the police dragnet on numerous occasions.

The gang purportedly invaded a house in Cambridge last year and killed Ann-Marie Johnson, 44, and her 24-year-old daughter Shantoy McKenzie, after the mother and daughter were said to have been engaged in a dispute with the gangsters over goats and chickens.

Late last year, the gangsters are reported to have shot up police vehicles on three separate occasions and had begun to extort residents of the area.

Reports have also surfaced that a bitter dispute between Ratty and one of his lieutenants led to a splintering of the gang and the killing of four of his relatives.

In the meantime, residents are said to be still fearful as splinter groups are suspected to still be lurking undercover in and around the area.

The magazine bearing Ratty’s name

Detainees heading for the JCF/JDF

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THE MINISTER SPEAKS: Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development (left), responds to questions posed by noted Montego Bay Attorney-at-Law, Clay-ton Morgan, (at microphone) during a town hall meeting hosted by the St. James Municipal Corporation at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre last Thursday. Morgan raised concerns about the extended stay of many detainees under the State of Public Emergency. Also at the head table with Minister McKenzie are Major Garth Anderson of the Jamaica Defence Force and As-sistant Commissioner of Police, Ealon Powell.

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Hundreds of unattached youths across St. James are being drafted into the island’s security forces. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, told a town hall meeting at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre last Thursday that the youths detained under the State of Public Emergency and the Zone of Special Operations in Mount Salem, who have clean criminal records, are being encouraged to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force.

“Once you hold them and they are clean, you offer them an alternative. We are encouraging many of them, who have the requisite qualification, to join the army, join the police force; become firefighters. You will see a significant number, both in Mt. Salem and Denham Town and other areas, who got caught in the dragnet but after they were checked, they went into the system. Over 250 of them are in an advanced stage of training and they are going to form the nucleus of those who are going to extend the Jamaica Defence Force and the Police Force.”

And, the minister has shot down suggestions from noted Montego Bay Attorney, Clayton Morgan, that young men being detained for extended periods under the State of Public Emergency (Enhanced Security Measures) are being coached into becoming hardened criminals.

Morgan made the suggestion during the question-and-answer segment of the town hall meeting, hosted by the St. James Municipal Corporation, on the Enhanced Security Measures at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre on Thursday.

“You spoke about young men in custody who we are turning into hard core criminals; nobody can turn you into something that you are not. While there might be some who are unfortunate, I say show me your company and I tell you who you are,” McKenzie said.

He insisted that based on intelligence received by the security forces, the majority of those persons being held in detention are deemed to be threats to safety and security.

“Based on the intelligence that the security forces have obtained, ninety-eight percent of those who are in custody now are going to be a threat to the security and stability of the community, that is why they are in custody. I don’t have to pull the trigger to contribute to the crime. I can be a partner, a significant partner, without holding a gun in my hands,” McKenzie explained.

Murders down, traffic infractions soar

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ealan Powell, who was one of the panelists at the town hall meeting, commended the introduction of the State of Public Emergency in St. James for a major reduction in murders over the period January 18 to April 12.

“For the period January 18 to April 12, since the introduction of the State of Public Emergency, there were 14 murders, down from 62, for the same period last year, a reduction of 77.5 percent. There was also a 60 percent reduction in shootings in the parish,” Powell revealed.

He said 28 firearms, ten of which are AK-47 and M16 rifles, were seized over the period, and 94 persons arrested and charged for various crimes.

He said whilst that was significant, it was also noteworthy the number of traffic tickets issued over the same period, citing that it pointed to the fact that law and order were lacking in the parish.

“The police have written 11,000 traffic tickets since January 18 aimed at correcting wayward behaviour.  The Road Traffic Act was obviously not meant for St. James, as we also seized 910 cars operating as robots, not license stakeholders,” he explained.

He says for the security forces to reap success in its crime-fighting efforts, it would require the collective effort of the citizenry as well.

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