THE Guanaboa Vale police in St Catherine West Central are steadily seizing motorcycles and prosecuting motorists for not having driver’s licences and insurance, according to new head of the station, Sergeant Navelette Davis-Leachman.

Speaking at the station’s Social Action Day on April 26, the sergeant reported that, along with the bikers, other motorists were being nabbed for breaches of the Road Traffic Act.

She said the police have issued 74 traffic tickets and have made 45 arrests for various crimes committed in the area.

“By working closely with community members the police have been able to develop and implement strategies aimed at improving safety and building trust with the community,” the sergeant said. She added that the police have an active outreach programme involving schools, community groups, farmers and churches.

She stressed that the officers are committed to improving security but the assistance of citizens is needed and neighbourhood watch associations should be formed, which would deliver a “greater sense of security, build bonds with neighbours and people looking out for each other”.

Scores of businesses from the communities served by the station were allowed to display their products and services at the forum.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Medical Service Branch provided free medical check-ups for patrons while several government agencies provided information on the services that they offer.

Custos of St Catherine Icylin M Golding urged the communities to strive for understanding, resist “divisions and, more importantly, commit to making our communities safer”.

She pointed out that the goals of justices of the peace are aligned with the police to “create safer communities and more inclusive neighbourhoods where everyone feels respected and protected”.

Head of the St Catherine North Police Division Superintendent Hopeton Nicholson said that measures are in place to achieve public order, control hot spots, and degrade and disrupt gangs.

“When we come together as police and citizens we can work well, and with your partnership we can do better,” the superintendent said.

Mayor of Spanish Town Councillor Norman Scott said the forum was quite useful for the residents of the communities.

“I want to give them high marks for doing this, and I commend it for other rural stations. If the police know the citizens and the businesspeople, it augurs well for monitoring crimes in the parish,” the mayor said.

– JIS