Gregory Park Crime Keeping the Police on their Toes

The head of the St. Catherine south police says despite active police presence in Gregory Park, criminals within the community continue to hold residents hostage and are bent on creating mayhem.

However, he says the police are making every effort to bring things under control despite intra and inter-gang conflict making it even more difficult. The police along with political representatives and key stakeholders including the Social Development Commission, (SDC) toured the community Wednesday, November 3.

Commanding officer for the St. Catherine South Police Division, Superintendent Christopher Phillips, says the police will be targeting gangs and at-risk youth in the area. Up to Tuesday, November 2, there had been five murders in Gregory Park since the shooting death of a police sergeant in the area on September 19. Superintendent Phillips says 3 of the murders occurred last week alone.

During a walkthrough of the area Wednesday, the Superintendent says he is heartened by the support from various stakeholders, among them, the Social Development Commission, (SDC). He also outlined a more structured approach the police plan to take in treating gangs in the area.

Mayor of Portmore, Leon Thomas, while noting the reluctance of residents to speak with the police at times, believes the initiative was a success. Caretaker for St. Catherine East Central, Raymond Pryce, also lauds the initiative, stressing that social investment will be compromised without the presence of the police and other interventions that will at least bring calm in the area.

More in this CVM live story from Robian Williams: