WHILE other police divisions in the Corporate Area, Clarendon and St James are grappling with rising crime, the police in Kingston East -a division once considered a hotbed for murders and other serious crimes – are reporting a 68 per cent reduction in major crimes.

According to the division’s 90-day report (January 1 to March 31, 2007), prepared by commanding officer Superintendent Assan Thompson, “there has been 70 less major crimes” reported in the division when compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to the report, there were 13 murders compared to 24 for the corresponding period last year, representing a 45 per cent drop. Shootings, the report said, also went down by 57 per cent, while rape, carnal abuse, robbery and break ins all showed a downward trend in the division.

“We are very encouraged by the reduction and we will be working even harder to contain crimes in this division,” Thompson told the

Sunday Observer.

“The relationship between the police and the citizens remains good to the extent that there is very little protest to police action,”

Thompson added.

Kingston East comprises the often volatile communities of Rockfort, Dunkirk, Back Bush, Jarrett Lane, Saunders Avenue, Burgher Gully, Jacques Road, McGregor Gully and Bowerbank, which up to two years ago kept the police busy.

But Thompson said the police were working with the communities, and expected the downward trend in major crimes to continue.

“The management team remains committed to the targets set for 2007,” Thompson said.

And according to the report, the division has been meeting its targets. During the period under review, the cops say they arrested 16 wanted persons while 12 guns – an UZI submachine gun, eight 9mm pistols and three revolvers – and 176 rounds of ammunition were taken off the streets.

In addition, the report said 221 people were arrested for various crimes, while 236 people were detained.

Deputy Commissioner in charge of the crime portfolio, Mark Shields, lauded the cops in the division for the reduction

in crime.

“I am delighted with the results, which were caused by the hard work of the officers, members of the public and social intervention,” Shields told the Sunday Observer.

But Thompson was not pleased with the level of social intervention inside the division, which he said is necessary to cement the crime containment and criminal displacement strategies the cops have implemented.

“The commitment from external agencies to carry out social intervention work is not taking place as is expected, and this lack of commitment is likely to bring back some of the communities to a stage where the cycle restarts, and containment work has to be done once again,” he said.

Thompson also lamented the challenges faced by the officers in the division due to a shortage of roadworthy vehicles, bullet proof vests, firearms and other equipment.

“Most of the vehicles in the division are over 10 years old and have passed their useful stage. Bedding lockers and portable radios are in short supply. Some members are without bullet proof vests and helmets,” Thompson said.