The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Runaway Bay/Ocho Rios chapter has donated three new bikes to the St Ann and St Mary police which the lawmen say will better help them to police the newly opened leg of the North/South highway.

Two of the three new bikes will go to the St Ann police and the other to the St Mary police.

The donation comes at a time when

The St Ann police say the donation comes at a time when they could face additional challenges as a result of the new leg of the highway.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ealan Powell, who was addressing the handing-over ceremony at the Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios on Friday pointed to a robbery which occurred earlier that day where the perpetrators were able to make a quick escape by using the now shorter route out of the parish.

According to ACP Powell, the police are aware that the newly opened roadway will increase the possibility of criminals coming to the parish hence the lawmen are preparing for any such occurrences.

While the culprits were not caught on Friday, ACP Powell said, “We will prevent many more.”

He said while more transportation would be needed, the bikes will help the police and combat some of the challenges faced presently.

“This is a gift that will help us tremendously,” he said, adding that, the new bikes will assist the police as they put plans in place to combat the likely increase of crimes in the parishes as a result of easier access due to the new leg of the North South Highway.

“I want to express my gratitude to the JHTA and to the donors Prospect Villas, Ranger Security and Sandals Resort for this donation,” ACP Powell added.

The purchase of the three bikes was made possible through donation from Prospect Villas, Ranger Security and Sandals Resort. Brian Roper, liaison person in charge of security and emergency management for the JHTA chapter, said the donations were made after the police raised concern about the need for more bikes in the area.

“ACP Powell and his team make it easy to work with them,” Roper said, adding, “It really makes life so much easier helping the police force.”

He noted that with other organisations expressing a desire to assist, he is hoping that more transport can be acquired soon.

“Look after them as best as possible, make the donors as proud as you are riding them,” he urged the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Vana Taylor, chairman of the Runaway Bay/Ocho Rios chapter of the JHTA, too, lauded those who contributed to the donations to the police through the organisation.

“Thank you for being good corporate citizens,” she said, adding that the donation was made not only to protect visitors but locals as well.

“Once we are satisfied then ultimately our guests will also be. Use it well I am going to look to see you out there,” she said.”

ACP Powell assured the donors that the police will use the bikes to protect and serve persons coming to the parishes.

“We will use it to the betterment of the people in the region,” he said.