AMID an increase in murders across the parish the St Ann police are boasting a massive reduction in crime and violence in the once-volatile community of Steer Town.

The community recorded only one murder since the start of the year.

However, despite the statistics, officer in charge of community safety and security in St Ann, Deputy Superintendent Kevon Chambers says the one murder is still one too many.

“Steer Town is classified as a main hot spot area. And what I mean by hot spot [is] there’s a lot of issues such as crime and all of that, but why am I saying thank you [is because] since the year has started, Steer Town has only recorded one murder — but we still believe that this one murder is one too much,” he said.

“… So I want to say while I’m standing here, [I] just encourage you to continue on the same trend. There are other concerns that we have been having; we still see a lot of disputes coming from the community and we know that there is a likely chance that it will result in a murder,” he noted.

He urged residents to work with the police to rid the area of crime and violence.

“We know that people will have disagreements but we want to see how best we can resolve conflict; talk it out before you fight it out. And for those of you who are very much respected in the community, when you hear things I want you to get yourselves involved,” he said.