Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson is insisting that the state of public emergency (SOE) declared in St Catherine on June 17 led to a decrease in crime in the parish during the 14 days it was in effect.

The SOE ended on July 1.

Subsequent to the declaration of the SOE murders declined by 81 per cent and shootings went down by 56 per cent, Anderson said Tuesday at his monthly press briefing, during which he highlighted other successes by the police.

“Over the 14-day period, 66 persons were charged, 28 of which were for serious crimes, including murder, shooting, and sexual offences, while six persons were charged with breaches of the Law Reform Fraudulent Transactions Act or lottery scamming,” Anderson told journalists.

“Five wanted persons were taken into custody, three of whom were charged for sexual-related offences and two for murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. Two major players involved in the gang conflicts in both the St Catherine north and south divisions were also arrested and charged with murder, shooting, and illegal possession of firearm,” he said, adding that seven illegal guns were seized during the period.

Additionally, Anderson said that during the SOE a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing was intercepted by a member of the security forces at a checkpoint. She was in the company of an adult male who has since been charged with rape and having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16.

“On Monday, two men — both 19 years old — who were taken in custody during the state of public emergency as persons of interest in the double murder of police Corporal Delwin Jackson and Kenroy Chandler on August 18, 2021 were charged with murder,” Anderson said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness had declared the SOE after gangsters engaged in a street battle in Spanish Town on June 14, killing three people and injuring others. Holness said it was the responsibility of the Government to protect and preserve life.

At the time of the declaration, Commissioner Anderson said an increase in crime in the parish was due to organised and highly violent gang affiliates of 12 active gangs and breakaway factions who were engaged in deadly conflicts.

From January 1 to June 15, the St Catherine North Police Division recorded 70 murders and 51 shootings, while St Catherine South accounted for 58 murders and 53 shooting incidents.