ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – Attorney General, Marlene Malahoo Forte, has pledged to work with residents and other stakeholders to stem the upsurge of crime in New Ramble and other communities in St James.

She gave this commitment during yesterday’s tour by high-level government and police officials of the West Central St James community where nine persons were shot by gunmen, three fatally including a student, on Friday.

Addressing residents, Malahoo Forte, who is the Member of Parliament, said she shared their grief and encouraged persons with information that can assist in identifying the perpetrators, to convey this to the police. 

“Whatever needs to be done, we are going to have to find the solution together; the police cannot do it alone and the Government cannot do it alone. If you truly believe that what (occurred) should never happen to anyone else, you have to assist us,” she appealed.

Malahoo Forte, who also met with the family and friends of the victims, indicated that measures would be put in place boost the residents’ safety, and encouraged them to support these initiatives. 

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner, Dr Carl Williams, who accompanied the Attorney General, also expressed sympathies to the residents. 

He advised that he will be meeting with the St. James Police High Command to discuss and develop strategies to curb the crime and violence upsurge across the parish.

“We are going to ensure that you have elevated police presence, so that you can be safe, and do the investigations to find the persons who are responsible for this evil act,” the Commissioner stated.

Williams also urged residents to support the police as they undertake their operations.

Other officials touring the community included: Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Dr Horace Chang, and Government Senator, Charles Sinclair.