Hanover councillors support Hopewell lockdown
HOPEWELL, Hanover — The Hanover Municipal Corporation has given its support to the recent decision by the Hanover Police to place the Hopewell district in the parish “under police lockdown”.
The move by the police follows two murders in the area since the start of the year, and one incident of shooting with intent in the Hopewell town square last week Monday.
The police had also arrested two people following the recovery of a 9mm pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition, local and foreign currencies in a separate incident in the Hopewell area. There was also a shooting incident involving a Westmoreland resident who is currently on bail in relation to murder charges. The man, who as part of the conditions of his bail, currently resides in the Hopewell area, was reportedly fired at by armed men in Hopewell recently.
Last week, Hanover Divisional commanding officer, Superintendent Sharon Beeput, advised the regular monthly general meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation of the decision, aimed at returning calm to the once peaceful Hanover town.
The crime fighting initiative was supported by the seven councillors across the political divide at the corporation.
“I am in full support and all councillors are in support of the lockdown and anywhere there is any major incident again, lock it down. Lock it down until they can behave themselves,” Lucea mayor Sheridan Samuels declared.
The move by the police follows a similar action taken in the Green Island area at the start of the year.
“We had incidents in the Hopewell area. And, we are anticipating that we are going to get some reprisals. As a result of that, the lockdown strategy continues. We have Green Island under lockdown, and we are placing Hopewell under lock down… And, we have to do so for a while. We have to watch what is going on. A number of events… and we are getting some feedback from the community. So, we have to take this situation under control,” stated the superintendent.
She further urged the councillors to work with the police by passing on “any information you may pick up.”
