ST ANDREW, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) Caretaker for Saint Andrew Eastern Patricia Duncan Sutherland says residents of Mona have resorted to hiring private security to curb the levels of petty crime in the area.

“I have gotten feedback from the citizens of Mona and Hope Pastures in particular that the issue of the robberies in their area is very frustrating for them and so they have resorted in a lot of cases to using private security so they can prevent the crimes,” Duncan Sutherland told Observer Online.

While violent crimes like shootings are rare, the area is prone to knifepoint robberies and regular household break-ins, she explained.

The caretaker said despite discussions with the police, residents do not feel completely safe.

“What is happening is that the citizens associations and the police are trying to work closely together. But I find that a lot more citizens are using private security because they are not yet confident that the police will be able to address the situation and protect them prior to the crime happening.”

Duncan Sutherland maintained that further talks with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) would be undertaken regarding the issue.

“I will be meeting with the police to try to get them to talk more with the citizens so that we can have more preventative methodology put in place. More patrols, more presence in the communities so that the people can feel safe in their communities.”