PORUS, Manchester — Police here say they are motivated following recent successes, including the arrest of four gunmen and seizure of four guns in Spalding, even as they focus on hot spots such as Porus.

Head of the Manchester Police Division Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Carey Duncan said the mood among the men and women under his command is high.

“Following up on our recent success in Spalding some two weeks ago, the team in Manchester has been re-energised and highly motivated and raring to go,” said Duncan during an operation in Porus on Thursday.

The south-central town of Porus, a few kilometres east of Mandeville, has experienced a flare-up of violence, including a double murder at a bar on December 3.

Sashagaye Chambers, otherwise called Chin, 27, and a man identified only as Stevie, were gunned down about 7:35 pm at the bar operated by the woman.

Another man was shot and injured outside the bar. Police said a suspect identified only by his alias Bagalas, who reportedly challenged them in a running gun battle, was fatally shot in the adjoining community of Ramble.

Duncan said Thursday’s operation was geared at reassuring residents and pursuing suspects in Porus and its environs. The Jamaica Observer saw several men being detained by the police during the operation.

“So what you are seeing is in operation primarily in the Porus space, and it is aimed at reassuring the people within this space. We have been having some flare-ups in this space and persons are indeed concerned, so as the commander I believe it is important that the persons know that we are within them with all that is happening,” added Duncan as he reiterated that the police will implement strong security measures where necessary.

“Going into the Christmas season I know that there is a concern about commerce and other activities within the space. We have to take a broader look at safety and security. We have applied for and been granted to conduct curfews within this space,” Duncan said.

Following the fatal shooting of Bagalas, a threat was made on a social media platform against the Porus police station and DSP Duncan told reporters that it has been taken seriously. “We have been looking for the person who made that video,” said Duncan.

He added that the police are on the lookout for criminals attempting to flee or roaming the Porus area.

“We are looking for some persons within this space who we believe are influencing the violence within the space. Some we understand are still here and some have migrated from the space, so I just want to take this opportunity to reach out to the good citizens of the greater Porus area to just partner with us, because our effort is really to ensure their own safety and security,” Duncan added.