GRANVILLE, St James — The St James police are celebrating what they say is a drastic decline in major crimes, including murders, in Granville and surrounding communities of Montego Bay.

According to statistics provided by sub-officer in charge of the Granville Police Station, Sergeant Delroy Harriott, 56 murders were recorded in the area in 2010, but following the introduction of community policing, the figure gradually plummeted, reaching nine last year.

“In the year 2010, Granville (police area), which consists 22 communities, with an estimated population of 23,000 to 24,000 people, recorded 56 murders. In the year 2013, because of the community activities and interaction with the community, we saw 17 murders. And we did not stop there, we intensified our community activities and it has borne more fruits. In the year 2014 we have seen where we have sliced that and we had nine murders,” Sergeant Harriott said.

“And, ladies and gentlemen, we are in 2015 and we intend to slice that by 50 per cent. So far we have gone one murder and we are going to interact with the community more, socialise with the community, beef up our meetings… widely pubicise meetings in order that we can accomplish this feat.”

Harriott was speaking at a Prayer Walk and an All-Faith Praise and Worship in Granville on Sunday.

Minister of Security Peter Bunting, pastors from Granville and surrounding areas, Member of Parliament Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, Councillor for the Granville Division, Michael Troupe, members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and community members participated in the peace walk.

Bunting, who praised all the stakeholders who cooperated in restoring peace to the Granville area, however, thanked God for the success.

“We talk about a 16 per cent reduction that we got last year and when we look at Granville alone to come from 58 murders and to come down to nine, that is not the work of man alone and I want to acknowledge and give God the glory,” the security minister said.

“The tough thing about this job is that as fast as you could say 2014 was a good year, you have the challenges of 2015 and I am happy that Granville is not suffering from what we have seen in some of the communities where the year started off with a spike in murders in particular but what I am hoping is that Granville will now not only consolidate the gains that they have made, but start evangelise and carry the message to other communities.”

Meanwhile, Sergeant Harriott advised residents to seek dispute resolution when the need arose.

“Of the nine murders we had last year, five of those arose from domestic disputes which could have been dealt with in another way,” Harriott noted.

He was lauded by Troupe for his “sterling work” in spearheading the move to trim murders in the community.

“Two years ago I wouldn’t be sitting up there because I would have to be watching my back; anything could happen two years ago in this division. There is a police I would like to big up. We call him in Granville, Sarge in Charge. Big him up!” said Troupe.