The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has expressed deep concern at the number of murders since the start of the year and called on the authorities to quickly implement stronger measures to fight crime.

“We encourage the Government to continue strengthening initiatives such as Operation Kingfish and provide the necessary legal and forensic support to the police to ensure that criminals are apprehended and justice dispensed swiftly and effectively,” newly elected PSOJ president Christopher Zacca said in a statement issued Friday evening.

“The organisation calls upon the Government and the security forces to move speedily to implement stronger measures to control the crime and violence which has been crippling our nation,” said Zacca, who noted that more than 20 people, including two policemen and members of their families, have been brutally murdered since the start of the year.

Zacca said the PSOJ recognised that the security forces have been working to address criminal activities and pointed to the “significant results” achieved by Operation Kingfish, as well as the “marked reduction in the murder rate for 2006”.

“However, the number of persons murdered since the start of 2007 is cause for grave concern,” he said.

Zacca conveyed the PSOJ’s deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of these victims of crime and called on all Jamaicans to support measures geared to inhibit crime in their community and to support the maintenance of law and order.

“We urge every citizen to co-operate fully and to give the police whatever information they may have about criminal activity,” he said. “We encourage all residents to share important information by calling Crime Stop or Operation Kingfish.”

Zacca said the PSOJ will continue to meet with the police high command to provide support, including the identification of additional budgetary support to obtain vital and well-needed equipment.

“Violent criminal activities continue to be one of the greatest social problems our country faces,” he said. “Urgent and decisive action is required to aggressively address the levels of crime and corruption present in our society.”

Zacca added that it is clear that short-term measures needed to be supported by the development and implementation of long-term measures designed to address the root causes of crime.

“The PSOJ,” he said, “reiterates its commitment to work with the political directorate and other sectors within the society to bring an end to this scourge.”