KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) has called on Commissioner of Police, George Quallo to investigate the increased number of reports by young women circulating on social media, of robberies and kidnappings in sections of St Catherine and St Andrew.

The PNPYO in a release this morning named the transportation areas Halfway Tree and Washington Boulevard in St Andrew and Spanish Town and Portmore in St Catherine.

“Though an unconventional means of reporting, it is important that we nonetheless treat these reports with great urgency.  From the several numbers of reports, it would appear that armed rogue criminals are targeting passengers, young women especially, taking public transportation,” it said.

The youth organisation suggested that in the interim, until investigations have commenced and concluded, the police commissioner increases police presence in the named areas and conduct more spot checks on public passenger vehicles, as criminals seem to be disguising themselves as passengers. 

Given the elevated levels of criminality in Jamaica, the PNP asked that all Jamaicans, especially women:

1.     Exercise greater caution when travelling via public transportation;

2.     Refrain from taking robot taxis;

3.     When possible, to travel in large groups; and

4.     Where possible, avoid travelling at nights.