THE police force yesterday imposed curfews over some 70 communities and major towns across the island and warned that the security forces will be out in full force to maintain order during the passage of Tropical Storm Sandy, expected today.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds said that police will be deployed from the Mobile Reserve as part of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Hurricane Standard Operating Procedures.

“The curfews begin at 6:00 pm Tuesday and go until 6:00 pm Thursday, October 25,” Hinds said, while warning that the move was part of efforts to monitor and clamp down on criminals who were planning to use the period to loot and carry out their illegal activities.

Police warned that all persons within the affected areas should remain in their premises during the period of the curfews.

“The JCF has been meeting with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in order to co-ordinate our efforts for better preparedness before, during and after the passage of the Tropical Storm,” Hinds said.

“We are ensuring that all members are acquainted with their roles and responsibilities at this critical time,” said Hinds who warned that police will act fast to safeguard life and property.

What is more, Hinds said, all geographic areas and divisions have established command centres to monitor deployment and any incidents which may occur.

The affected areas are:

AREA 1

. Montego Bay

. Lucea

. Savanna-la-Mar

. Falmouth

. Duncans

. Clark’s Town

. Wakefield

. Albert Town

. Grange Hill

. Darliston

. White House

. Hopewell

. Sandy Bay

. Green Island

AREA 2

. Ocho Rios

. Port Antonio

. Port Maria

. St Anns Bay

. Brown’s Town

. Annotto Bay

. Highgate

. Gayle

. Buff Bay

. Oracabessa

AREA 3

. Mandeville

. May Pen

. Chapelton

. Lionel Town

. Frankfield

. Croft’s Hill

. Christiana

. Spalding

. Porus

. Santa Cruz

. Black River

. Junction

. Balaclava

. New Market

AREA 4

. Downtown Kingston

. New Kingston

. Half Way Tree

. Industrial Estate

. Windward Road

. Rockfort

. Rollington Town

. Vineyard Town

. Franklyn Town

. Mountain View

. Harbour View

. Port Royal

. Bull Bay

. Cross Roads

. Papine

. Liguanea

. Three Miles

AREA 5

. Spanish Town

. Portmore

. Linstead

. Morant Bay

. Constant Spring

. Old Harbour

. Stony Hill

. Bog Walk

. Yallahs

. Seaforth

. Port Antonio

. Port Morant

. Bath

. Golden Grove

. Red Hills

. Barbican

. Golden Spring

. Lawrence Tavern