LITTLE LONDON, Westmoreland – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called on Westmoreland residents to support the security forces assigned in the parish and gave a commitment that corrupt cops will be weeded out of the force.

“For the parish of Westmoreland, I appeal to the people to cooperate with your security forces. The people who we have put here to lead the security forces have special directions. Those who are the bad apples will be moved and prosecuted when we have the evidence on them as you have seen that the police force is not going to be protected from the general thrust towards integrity and accountability,” assured Holness.

The prime minister was addressing the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the $175-million Little London Police Station in the parish.

Since the start of the year, several murders have been committed in the parish. A section of the capital, Savanna-la-Mar south, is currently under a zone of special operation (ZOSO).

Noting that there is a limitation to Government resources, Holness pointed to the importance of residents playing their part in the fight against crime.

“Won’t seh a word, go on like you nuh notice but you notice,” stated Holness.

He was quick to respond to a comment of distrust for the police coming from a resident.

“I know, I hear it. You are afraid of the police, and you are afraid of the gunman. But I am saying to you there are ways to do it. If you really want to see the transformation of your community, give the information,” the prime minister charged.

“I appeal to you, I urge you all good-thinking, law-abiding citizens [to] close the gap between yourself and the security forces by sharing information and locking out the criminals.

“You have to contemplate: Will my community be like this every day? Will it always be for the rest of my life that I can’t walk on the street without fear that a bike man is going to ride up and shoot up my area? Is it always going to be like that? Well, my job is to give you hope that it will not always be that way and we are going to do all that we can, all that is within the law and within our authority,” Holness said while making reference to security measures put in place or being worked on by Government.

Among the measures are amendments to the Firearms Act and the Corrections Act.

Besides, Holness said the Government is pursuing a new Bail Act to ensure that the justice system and law enforcement system are not a revolving door for criminals.