BY KIMMO MATTHEWS

Staff reporter

matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

THE American Government yesterday issued a strong statement of support for Jamaica’s anti-crime efforts as soldiers and police rolled out an aggressive all-island campaign against criminals who, since the start of the year, have murdered more than 600 people, among them four women in the last 36 hours.

“The United States Embassy stands with the people and Government of Jamaica against these lawless criminals,” America’s top diplomat, Luis Moreno, said in a statement in which he extended sympathy to the family and colleagues of Constable Crystal Thomas.

Thomas was brutally murdered by gunmen Tuesday night while on her way home on a public passenger bus.

Police reported that she had challenged the gunmen who had hijacked the bus on Spanish Town Road in Kingston.

Two suspects were held shortly after and the police said they were hot on the heels of other men in relation to the execution-style killing. Thomas’s service pistol was recovered hours after the incident.

“On behalf of the United States Mission to Jamaica, I wish to extend our deep and sincere condolence to the family and colleagues of Constable Crystal Thomas,” Moreno said in an extraordinary expression from a diplomat.

“Constable Thomas’s bravery and quick action saved many lives and demonstrated her dedication to her country and to protecting her fellow citizens. At 24 years old, she exemplified the code of the Jamaica Constabulary Force: Serve, Protect and Reassure,” the ambassador said.

“Every day law enforcement officers across Jamaica step into the line of duty. I commend these officers and know they will continue to carry [out] their duties professionally and justly. Tragically, all too many officers as well as everyday Jamaicans have lost their lives to this senseless violence,” the ambassador added.

His statement came as the security forces fanned out across the island in a campaign that saw more than 100 persons apprehended in the Corporate Area alone.

The Police High command told the Jamaica Observer that the operations got underway in the 19 police geographic divisions and were, up to press time, still ongoing.

In the Kingston Western Division, where residents were still reeling from Constable Thomas’s murder, head of the division, Senior Superintendent Cornwall ‘Bigga’ Ford, told the Observer that members of his team were out and about from early yesterday.

“At this point in time, at least 40 persons were brought in for questioning in relation to a number of crimes,” said Ford.

Late yesterday evening, Ford said that several of the suspects were being questioned and a number of them were identified for charges to be laid against them.

In Kingston Central, Superintendent Michael Scott said more than 30 persons were taken in for questioning.

“The clampdown is part of the police high command’s Get the Guns Campaign and is aimed at going after persons who have been committing a number of illegal acts across several divisions,” said Scott.

In St Andrew South, police said up to 5:00 pm yesterday more than 47 persons were taken in for questioning.

“At this time, the operations are still ongoing,” said Superintendent Lennox Harper.

In the St Andrew North Division police were, up to press time, unable to say how many persons were in custody for questioning.

Yesterday, the police high command sought to reassure Jamaicans that the operations were aimed restoring law and order.

“The operations are being carried out in the most professional manner. So far we have not received any complaints, and if there are any we are willing to listen and work to improve,” said one official.