HANOVER, Jamaica — Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament for North West St James, Dr Horace Chang, Friday afternoon, visited Wednesday’s crime scenes where a toddler, a five-year-old and a man were killed in Williamsfield, Hanover, by men toting high powered weapons.

Thirty-four-year-old Hopeton Lee, five-year-old Kimani Johnson and one-year-old Daquan Davidson were killed at their homes in two separate incidents Wednesday. Three other people were also injured during the shooting incidents.

The police stated that Lee was a witness in a murder that took place in the area last year and are theorising that Wednesday’s shooting may be related to that incident.

Chang told OBSERVER ONLINE that the aim of his visit was to get a firsthand look at the wider area of Greenland, Middlesex and Dias that in recent times have seen an upsurge in crime.

Chang, who is a former MP for Hanover Western in which these communities fall, also reached out to the families of those who in recent times have been affected by crime.

He said that the hilly terrain of the Williamsfield area made it difficult for the Jamaica Constabulary Force to carry out effective policing.

“We have to find way to deal with this real heinous crime that is taking place now. Because, that kind of brutality has not been witness before,” stated Dr Chang.

“It also poses from a typical point of view significant challenges for policing. It cannot just be the norm. Individuals can enter and leave by several ways, which goes through rough terrain, literally uncharted areas. In fact, the police might not be able to go there, except on special operations in terms of seeking to apprehend criminals who come out especially in the night over the tracks, through the hills and valleys,” he added.

Chang said that the government will, very shortly, make known measures to deal with crime. However, in the short term there will be an increase in manpower and policing.

He also pointed to the need for the island’s coastal borders to be protected as a means of reducing the number of guns and ammunition entering the country.

“We have no surveillance aircraft. And, these are basic equipment required to intercept firearms coming into Jamaica. Jamaica is not a manufacturer of firearms. So, while we may increase police presence and even change the law, the first thing that we have to do is really stop the flow of tremendous arms and ammunition into the country. So, our coastline has to be protected, and that was totally neglected. I mean, that is the fact of history that we inherited,” asserted Dr Chang.

Earlier this month (Wednesday, January 18), Minister of National Security, Robert Montague disclosed that the government has purchased a surveillance aircraft as part of a raft of new measures to strengthen the country’s border-protection system. The aircraft is due in the island by July, but will not become operational until next year as it is to be fitted with specialised surveillance equipment.

Montague also stated that the country is to acquire an additional naval vessel outfitted with a helicopter, from the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Hanover police are currently investigating the shooting death of 39-year-old security guard Linton Brown in the parish on Thursday night.

Reports are that Brown was on his way home from work when was attacked by two men armed with firearms near Mandela Green in Green Island.

Thursday night’s shooting has brought the murder tally in the parish to 12 in 19 days since the start of the year.

Anthony Lewis