OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Worried that there are now eight more murders than there were last year, a 20 per cent increase up to 48, some councillors within the St Ann Municipal Corporation are annoyed by what they say is the repeated absence of police representatives from monthly meetings where they would have a chance to raise their concerns.

“There was a triple murder in Parry Town, and a lot of other different crime all over my division in the past month and a half. The police were told to come to Civics Affairs [Committee meeting] and they have not been coming. And, they don’t come to general council so I am overly concerned with what is happening in the parish,” said Councillor Ian Bell (People’s National Party, Beecher Town Division).

“I couldn’t believe that I live to see St Ann becoming the murder capital. St Ann has more murder than Spanish Town, Kingston and Clarendon. [It is] the only parish with a 20 per cent increase in murder. Even St James is seeing reductions in murder at this time,” he added.

Bell said residents in his division are also seeking answers about the upsurge in crime.

“Relatives of the triple murder victims are asking if I don’t hear anything from the police. I can’t give them any answers and they are looking to me for answers, so I’m wondering if this is a plot by the police to hide the crime situation; but we need some information about what is happening in the parish,” he urged.

Councillor Paul McFarlane (PNP, Calderwood Division) is of the view that the corporation needs to enact a policy making it mandatory for the police to be present at meetings.

“I’m concerned, as a representative of the people of St Ann, because we have the highest murder rate in the country to date but here we are, not being able to get any answers or ask questions about what is happening in the parish. We have to take a policy position to ensure that we get the police in our meeting because we need answers,” he said.

In his response, mayor of St Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis theorised that the absence of a representative of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) may be as a result of a change in leadership within the division. He said he would be writing to the new superintendent of police to rectify the issue.

“Since the year has started we have decided to have the constabulary force come and make the reports at the roads and works and planning meeting, but for the last couple meetings the police have not been here. I think that is because of a change in leadership at the hierarchy in St Ann. We will remind them that they should be at the meeting so the councillors can get answers to whatever questions they may have,” said Belnavis.

The mayor, who said he is also bothered by the uptick in crime within the parish, urged the police not to take lightly what seems to now be a trend that may affect communities in the tourism-dependent areas.

“This 20 per cent increase in [murder] is startling, and we ask that the police personnel really get a grip on what is happening in St Ann. From Ocho Rios to Discovery Bay is right in the middle of the tourism belt, and we don’t want anything to taint that image. People must feel relaxed and not intimidated by crime,” said Belnavis.

Councillor for the Calderwood Division Paul McFarlane tells last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation they should put a policy in place that ensures the police are present at council meetings. (Photo: Akera Davis)