THE Police High Command has warned that its assault on criminals involved in the drugs-for-guns trade is expected to intensify over the next few days.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of operations Assan Thompson, the pressure on crooks will increase as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) begins the use of several go-fast boats recently donated by the United States Government.

“The boats will be deployed to the marine headquarters and to some outposts [across the island] in the next few days,” ACP Thompson told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

The Police High Command said it believes that when the boats are deployed they will increase the authorities’ ability to monitor trouble points where criminals attempt to enter the island.

The cops said they believe the move will allow them to make a meaningful dent in the deadly gun trade and make significant inroads in other areas were criminals are creating problems.

ACP Thompson made the comment on the heels of last week’s meeting between Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams and several divisional officers.

In the meantime, the police reported that 13 guns were seized over last week under the recently launched ‘Get the Guns’ campaign, bringing to 95 the number of firearms seized under the initiative.

The Get the Guns campaign was officially launched at the Office of the Commissioner of Police on September 17.

The campaign, which was first announced in July of this year, is geared towards significantly reducing the number of illegal guns and ammunition in the hands of criminals in Jamaica.

“Our intention is to seize illegal guns well above our current average of 600 guns per year,” said Dr Williams. “This initiative is needed to help reduce gun violence in Jamaica.”

Consequently, cash incentives are offered to people who provide information that leads to the seizure of illegal guns and ammunition. Additionally, police officers in divisions that seize the most guns will also receive a cash incentive.

At the same time, the police said that with talks of a pending general election the JCF has intensified its preparation.

“We are in a state of preparedness to take us right into the election, if and when it is called … we continue to look at the plans and continue to refine the plans from the area and divisional level to make sure things are in place,” said the ACP.

“We don’t know when, but we have to put ourselves in a state of readiness and preparedness, so that’s what we are doing now,” Thompson added, saying that the police were watching some areas closely.

“We are watching some developments, in terms of reports coming from some divisions. We are not able to colour those reports as being political, but we are assessing some of the things that we are seeing and persons who are being affected,” said the ACP.

— Kimmo Matthews