KINGSTON, Jamaica — Security Minister Dr Horace Chang today disclosed that the upsurge in violence in Westmorland represents a 30 per cent increase when compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Chang, who was speaking during his 2018/19 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives, attributed the increase to major gang feuds and said that the government is currently reviewing laws to enhance their capabilities.

“Westmoreland continues to experience an upsurge in violence with a total of 57 murders and 64 shooting incidents reported for the period of January 1 to May 5, 2018.

“This represents an increase of 30 per cent over the 2017 comparative total. Intelligence suggests that 36 incidents of murders and 18 of shootings have been linked to gang related conflict,” said the security minister.

He noted that areas of Savanna-la-Mar, Negril and Grange Hill have been classified as hotspots, with several communities within these vicinities affected due to fall outs related to the drugs for gun trade and lottery scam syndicates.

These include the communities of Church Lincoln, Top Lincoln, Kings Valley, Mint Road, Punna Hill, Sterling (Godfrey Street) and Fullersfield district.

“It is clear that what we need to move with deliberate efforts to further curtail organised criminal gang activity utilising the legislative framework (Anti-gang Law, Proceeds of Crime Act, Anti-Lottery Scam Act) at our disposal,” said Chang.

He said the security forces we will be going after criminals associated with the Dester Street gang; Dalling Street gang; Kings Valley gang; Sterling/Godfrey gang; Garth Elvin gang and the Russell Faction, taking their proceeds out of crime, seizing their assets, including those which  have been placed in names of members of their families.