Almost 70 additional police officers have been assigned to St James to ensure that there is adequate security for this year’s Spring Break vacationers.

More than 30,000 college students are expected to converge on the island, over the next six weeks, and the western city is expected to get its fair share.

According to Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) liaison officer for St James, Peter Salkey, 66 additional officers have been assigned to the parish to assist in crime prevention efforts.

“Montego Bay is expecting more persons, and given that millions of dollars will be spent both law- abiding persons and law breakers will descend on the town in pursuit of money,” he said.

“The police are aware of their responsibility as it relates to safety and security in Montego Bay, and the parish generally, and will maintain vigilance,” the CCN spokesman added.

The bulk of the Spring Breakers will be in the island until April 21. They are from high schools, colleges and universities in North America and tourism interests expect to earn an estimated US$15 million, mainly through the purchase of food and drinks.

Constable Salkey said the boosting of the crime fighting capacity in preparation for the visitors was part of the larger crime management strategy that the police launched in St James just under a month ago.

He said since the launch of the new strategy, which has resulted in more foot and motorised patrols, crime had fallen by 28 per cent up to February 25 this year, when compared to the similar period last year. In addition, the police have seized 11 illegal firearms to date, six more than the number seized for a comparable period last year; and last month 30 persons were arrested in connection with gun related crimes in the parish.

Salkey said during Spring Break, particular emphasis would be placed on downtown Montego Bay and Gloucester Avenue, which is referred to as the “Hip Strip”.

The police’s strategy to prevent crimes against the students will also extend into the communities of Norwood, Canterbury, North Gully and Flankers.

Constable Salkey said that the William Street/Orange Street intersection, which has been the scene of several crimes against visitors to Montego Bay, would receive special attention.

The area is located close to the inner-city communities of North Gully and Canterbury, through which most of the attackers normally make their escape.