MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Councillors here are calling on the constabulary’s leadership in this south-central parish to better respond to concerns of crime and are also lobbying for greater mobility, following recent incidents.

The councillors on both sides of the political aisle on Thursday said the absence of Manchester’s police chief Shane McCalla, or a representative, from the monthly meeting of the municipal corporation is concerning amid the worrying level of crime in the parish.

Councillor McArthur Collins (People’s National Party, New Green Division) claimed Mandeville is being “overrun” by hoodlums.

“We need to hear from the police if anything is being put in place to walk the streets of Mandeville; it is overrun by thugs. The citizens, businesspeople, and people going into the market have some serious issues walking through the town, parking, and do their business freely,” he said, citing security concerns.

His colleague, Councillor Irvin Facey (PNP, Spur Tree Division) asked for the police to provide information to the public.

“There are so many things happening in the parish that we would want to get some update from the police as to what is really happening and what is in place to address what is happening. I have a concern that they have not been attending our regular meetings,” said Facey.

Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell told councillors that he would have dialogue with Superintendent McCalla to address the issues.

However, Councillor Iceval “Cherry” Brown (Jamaica Labour Party, Grove Town Division) said the lack of resources for the police to respond to communities is even more worrying.

She said on Wednesday residents called the police after people were observed removing construction material in her division.

“Some people were [seen] stealing steel from the Woodlands parish tank. I called the police also and I was told that it is only one jeep for three stations — Cross Keys, Asia and Newport — and that is unacceptable,” she said.

“The Woodlands project has to do with the rural water supply,” she added.

Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (JLP, Porus Division) also complained about the mobility issues affecting the police.

“It is a serious concern in Manchester as a whole. How many vehicles are the police stations having at their disposal and the type of vehicles, especially in terrains like south Manchester? For example, Porus Police Station has to go as far as Whitney Hill and other areas — it is a serious concern for the police in Manchester,” she said.

“Manchester is a through parish from every angle that you take it, and also the bauxite [haul] roads are easy access for these criminals,” she added.

Mayor Mitchell suggested that the municipality write to Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang outlining the issue of mobility for the police.

“The parish of Manchester has a concern with the deployment of vehicles in the police districts and ask that he intervenes, because it is hampering good and proper policing in the parish,” said Mitchell.