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.