PORT ANTONIO, Portland — With a 60 per cent drop, in the first three months of this year, in the parish’s already low numbers for major crimes, superintendent of police in charge of the Portland Division Ainsley McCarthy has not forgotten the work done by retired cops who contributed to keeping the parish safe over the years.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as we honour the efforts of our staff in crime reduction, we also thank our retirees for their dedicated service, which has greatly contributed to nation-building. We are aware that crime reduction is not only a police responsibility, but the responsibility of all Jamaicans,” he said.

The senior cop was speaking during last Thursday’s ceremony to honour 10 cops who recently retired from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

There were no reported incidents of aggravated assault, larceny and shootings up to March of this year. For the comparable period in 2025, there were two cases of aggravated assault, and six each of larceny and shooting. There have been two murders this year, compared to five last year; while robberies have moved up to two, from the one reported case last year. Break-ins have fallen from 11 to seven while rapes have stayed steady at two.

During the event, McCarthy noted his team’s continued work in bringing down the overall numbers nationally.

“Portland contributed to the historic murder reduction nationally by reducing murders by 15 per cent and robberies by 40 per cent and the trend continues in 2026,” he said.

According to data he presented, murders, shootings, larceny, break-ins and aggravated assault are down as the first quarter of the year ends.

“The division is seeing a reduction in murders by 60 per cent, shooting down, aggravated assault and larceny is down by 100 per cent; break-ins by 36 per cent. The only crime showing an increase is robbery, by one; while rape is showing that it is on par with where it was last year. The division is experiencing a 60 per cent decrease in major crimes,” McCarthy pointed out.

In addition to their sterling work in crime fighting, he also spoke of the resilience done by his team in the immediate aftermath of last October’s category 5 storm.

“While our parish avoided the worst effects of Hurricane Melissa, many members still experienced personal losses, including damage to their homes. Despite these challenges, we continued to serve for over six weeks without electricity [at the police station],” he said.

— Everard Owen