A Government junior minister is suggesting that the police have a sit-down with gangsters in order to counter spiralling crime and murder in St James.

Homer Davis, the minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, made the proposal at a function in Montego Bay last Saturday against the background of police statistics showing that between January 1 and June 6 this year, a total of 104 people were murdered in St James, 26 more than the corresponding period in 2021.

“I am really agonising over how we intercede with the gangs that are really creating havoc in our space. I have a thought process… I think if we can get the combatants, the leaders of these groups, gangs together and put them in a space and say ‘Listen, tell me now where are you fighting for. Tell me what do you want, what do you need? What can we do to appease you?’” said Davis, who is also Member of Parliament for St James Southern.

The function was held to welcome Superintendent Carlos Russell to the St James Police Division. He is acting for Senior Superintendent Vernon Ellis, who is on leave.

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Call in the gang leaders – St James Southern MP wants police to meet with thugs for crime solutions