WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — Once home to a notorious gang massacre, Grange Hill in Westmoreland is now experiencing a high level of calm.

“We have had major success with the gangs, Sir. One of the highlights of the Westmoreland Division year-to-date is the Grange Hill police area. No murders, no shootings year-to-date,” stated officer in charge of the Westmoreland Police Division, Senior Superintendent Othneil Dobson.

He was briefing Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on the police division’s performance during the prime minister’s recent visit to the parish. Up to August 5, the statistics had not changed. The peace now reigning in the area is in stark contrast to the period between May 1 and 2, 2018, when seven people — including a two-year-old and a 10-year-old — were killed and 10 others injured during a shooting rampage. Years ago, the area was also home to a well-known gang. Superintendent Dobson has attributed the success to extensive work done in the area.

“The community and the stakeholders are working along with us and we expect to keep those figures the same way until the end of the year and further on. That’s the new normal that we want to have in these communities,” he assured.

Superintendent Dobson noted that the parish has seen a 40 per cent reduction in murders between January 1 and July 31, recording 16 murders compared to 27 for the same period last year. It was a similar case for shootings, which saw a 21 per cent reduction, down by seven from the previous year.

He said all major crimes in the parish are down by 25 per cent over last year, except for rape, which remains unchanged. No data was provided for rape cases.

“This goes to show confidence in the policing that persons that were even raped five, six years ago are coming forward,” stated Superintendent Dobson.

He also gave an update on infrastructure conditions and renovations to police stations across the parish following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October. He noted that Bethel Town and Whithorn stations have been fully renovated while the Bluefields station is slated to be handed over shortly. He said while renovations were done on the Whitehouse station, it is slated for a complete overhaul while the Savanna-la-Mar station is also scheduled for rebuilding under a project to begin next year.

The senior officer also gave an update on the parish headquarters, describing it as “a luxurious building”. “Last time I checked it was at 70-odd per cent completion and it will be completed and handed over early next year,” said Dobson.