Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Regional, Western
By HAILE MIKA'EL  
February 24, 2010

Police target Westmoreland gangs

Strategic plan to dismantle criminal cliques by year-end

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — The Westmoreland police have come up with a strategy aimed at investigating and arresting the leaders of Westmoreland’s Twelve Street, Hot Roses and Toney Reid gangs by year-end.

“Our intention is to utilise every legitimate means (such as arrests and displacement) to ensure that (by) December 2010, these gangs are dismantled and made inoperable. We are of the view that if this is achieved we will be able to reduce criminal activities involving gang members, build safer communities, dissuade others from becoming gang members and restore citizens’ confidence in the rule of law and order, said the parish’s top cop, Superintendent Dezeita Taylor.

Taylor who was addressing last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce at Hotel Commingle, said the plan was developed with the “strategic objectives of the Jamaica Constabulary Force” in mind.

Viewed against the background of the anti-gang legislation that is expected to come into effect next month, her address was significant. The anti-gang legislation will, among other strategies, facilitate longer prison sentences for convicted gang members and minimise their ability to reorganise.

The Twelve Street and Hot Roses gangs operate in the Savanna-la-Mar Police area, while the Toney Reid gang operates in the Frome Police area.

“We have increased the number of patrols in the Savanna-la-Mar commercial and residential areas; zoned the capital for better coverage and we intend to pursue and arrest offenders as special attention will be paid to transportation centres, financial institution, etc,” said Taylor, noting that increased highway patrols with assistance from two cars from St James have also been implemented in an effort to make the roads safer.

These strategic objectives of the JCF include:

* The reduction of murders, robberies, break-ins and rape;

* The restoration of public safety and confidence;

* Upholding of human rights;

* Boosting morale and confidence of members within the division; reducing corruption within the division; and improving external and internal communication.

Notwithstanding the rise in the number of break-ins since the start of 2010 compared to 2009, Taylor reported a reduction in reported incidents of major crimes, including murders, shootings, robberies, rape and carnal abuse.

Compared to 2009 when there were nine break-ins, 16 have so far been reported, while murders are down by four, to nine; shootings down by three to four; robberies cut by half to eight; with only one incident of rape reported as against five last year. Carnal abuse cases remain at one.

“We know that there is no room for complacency,” said Taylor.

According to police findings, inadequate lock systems and lack of grilled houses contributed to the ease with which hoodlums gained entry to residences. Consequently, Taylor urged citizens to take the necessary precautions, participate in community group activities, and where none exist, take the leadership roles in organising neighbourhood watch groups.

“I must congratulate the citizens of Russia (Savanna-la-Mar) who have worked with the Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) implemented by the Ministry of National Security, the police, the SDC, and other stakeholders to make their community a better place,” she said.

In addition to the gang activities in the capital and the Frome Police area, Taylor cited the lottery scam in the Bethel Town Police area, coupled with the displacement of criminals particularly from St James and Hanover, and the drugs-for-guns trade, especially in the sea coast areas and those areas with a heavy concentration of ganja cultivation, as challenges to overcome in the crime fight.

Other problems highlighted included the influx of vendors and job-seekers from various parishes to Negril — some of whom end up partaking in criminal activities — and informal settlements, especially in Savanna-la-Mar.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Shenese Walker, Tyrice Taylor ahead in their events at NCAA Indoor Championships
Latest News, Sports
Shenese Walker, Tyrice Taylor ahead in their events at NCAA Indoor Championships
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans Shenese Walker of Florida State University and Tyrice Taylor of the University of Arkansas led their respective events a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Shaneil Muir ready to excite at All Pisces Born party
Entertainment, Latest News
Shaneil Muir ready to excite at All Pisces Born party
March 13, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Top flight Dancehall artiste Shaneil Muir is set to ignite the highly anticipated All Pisces Born party on  Saturday at the freshl...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica Broilers shareholders to vote on auditor switch weeks after PwC reappointment
Business, Latest News
Jamaica Broilers shareholders to vote on auditor switch weeks after PwC reappointment
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shareholders of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited will vote next month on replacing long-standing auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers with...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
48-hour curfew imposed in St Andrew South Police Division
Latest News, News
48-hour curfew imposed in St Andrew South Police Division
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —  A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in sections of the St Andrew South Police Division community. The curfew commenced at 6:00 pm o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Over 200 children to participate in Kiwanis Builders and K-Kids Clubs ‘Rally for the Climate 2026’
Latest News, News
Over 200 children to participate in Kiwanis Builders and K-Kids Clubs ‘Rally for the Climate 2026’
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Builders Clubs and K-Kids Clubs from the Jamaica District’s Division 23 East and Division 23 Central Kiwanis Clubs will host more ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $158.16 to one US dollar
Latest News
Forex: $158.16 to one US dollar
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Friday, March 13, ended trading at $158.16, up by 22 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s da...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican-born scholar wins Oxford prize for book on Black women and political power
Latest News, News
Jamaican-born scholar wins Oxford prize for book on Black women and political power
March 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Jamaican-born scholar based in Canada has won an international award from Oxford University Press for her upcoming book examinin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Fire of unknown origin extensively damaged sections of Outameni Experience building in Trelawny
Latest News, News
Fire of unknown origin extensively damaged sections of Outameni Experience building in Trelawny
March 13, 2026
TRELAWNY,  Jamaica — The Trelawny Fire Department is conducting a probe to determine the cause of a fire which extensively damaged sections of the roo...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct