POLICING sections of Jamaica’s south coast is now a little easier for cops following the recent donation of a new vehicle by the Ministry of Tourism through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

“This will greatly improve our ability to serve both citizens and visitors. Nationally, we are seeing a 16 per cent reduction in major crimes and over 41 per cent in murders. Locally, St Elizabeth has recorded only seven murders to date — compared to 19 last year.

“This support enhances our effectiveness and shows what can be achieved when agencies work together,” said head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Gary McKenzie as he received the new Mitsubishi Triton on Tuesday.

The handover took place at the Pedro Plains police station as part of the tourism ministry’s ongoing ‘Destination Assurance Tour’, which aims to spotlight and strengthen the interconnected pillars of tourism: safety, infrastructure, and community empowerment.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett highlighted the interconnectedness of tourism and national infrastructure.

“Tourism by itself doesn’t exist. It’s a series of moving parts that must come together seamlessly to create an experience which has a value and a price,” said Bartlett.

“We rely on every sector, every institution to play their part. Today, we wanted to emphasise one of our most critical partners in this process — the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Safety and security are two of the first S’s we talk about in tourism, and this collaboration is a statement of how seriously we take that mandate,” added Bartlett.

The new patrol unit, funded through TPDCo’s Visitor Safety and Experience Unit, was delivered to strengthen the operational capabilities of the JCF’s Resort Division, particularly in response to the demands of the south coast’s growing tourism footprint.

The Mitsubishi Triton replaces a unit previously found to be unsuitable for the rugged terrain covered by the Pedro Plains team.

“This vehicle is not just a handover; it is assurance,” said TPDCo Executive Director Wade Mars.

“As destinations like Treasure Beach, Lover’s Leap, and Black River continue to attract more visitors, our ability to protect and reassure them must grow in tandem. This moment is a reflection of our mandate at TPDCo — to ensure that safety, quality, and visitor experience converge in a real and tangible way,” added Mars.