KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says that its recently launched ‘Operation Tidal Wave’, a targeted police activity, has been reaping success.

According to the police’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Tidal Wave commenced on Friday, March 18 after the JCF concluded its three-year crime-fighting strategy Operation Resilience to make way for a new operational phase, which will see a surge in policing activities across the island for the next three months.

This strategic operational approach will see an increase in road policing to include the number of vehicular check points (VCP) and police presence in town centres, markets, shopping malls, and similar areas.

The CCU in its report said that focus will also be placed on areas frequented by tourists, places of entertainment, fishing villages and farming communities, especially those impacted by praedial larceny.

The CCU said that since the launch of the initiative, four people have been arrested and charged for praedial larceny, 65 farm-watch meetings have been held and the police visited 12 abattoirs.

Additionally, 273 people have been charged for various offences and four wanted individuals were held. During the same period, 15 firearms, 96 assorted rounds of ammunition and 517 offensive weapons were seized.

 The JCF said it also conducted over 95,000 searches – including premises, vehicles and individuals – and J$200,000, US$50,000 and cash in other currencies were seized.

Ganja totalling 598.5 pounds, with an estimated street value of approximately J$3 million and five pounds of cocaine were seized in the new operation.

Police/citizen relations have also been targeted. Since the start of this initiative there have been 14 widely publicized meetings, 245 neighbourhood watch meetings and 208 domestic dispute interventions, the CCU said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Warren Clarke of the Territorial Operations Portfolio said that Tidal Wave, in this first stage, was intended to boost operational effectiveness while reminding citizens that JCF is determined to reduce crime.

 “We are committed to the task of keeping Jamaicans safe, and ensuring that everyone who wishes to do so can go about his or her business peacefully,” he said.