Outsiders blamed for Portland’s crime upsurge
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for West Portland, Daryl Vaz, today blamed the parish’s crime upsurge on outsiders whom he said are going there to engage in illegal activities.
Vaz’s comments came on the heels of a shooting incident in Port Antonio today, which left a young boy, two elderly people and a policeman nursing gunshot wounds.
The suspected gunman was killed.
“The parish is known for its low crime rate,” said Vaz adding that it was now under threat given several shooting incidents in recent times.
The MP said many citizens, especially those affected by Hurricane Sandy in October, were now vulnerable.
“There is a fragile tourism product in Portland and this crime surge will negatively affect the industry. I am calling on the Commissioner of Police to put in place a sustainable crime plan to prevent Portland from becoming a haven for criminals for this Christmas season and beyond.’
