Grange Hill pleads for return of event permits as crime dips

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Councillor Warren Lyttleton (People’s National Party, Grange Hill Division) is appealing to the police high command to resume issuing permits for entertainment events in the area.

According to Lyttleton, a significant reduction in crime should translate into an opportunity to revive a sector that was once a source of income for many residents.

Lyttleton made the appeal to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Othneil Dobson during Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC), noting that Grange Hill residents have been unable to legally host parties and entertainment events for the last three years.

“On behalf of the citizens of Grange Hill, we just want to commend you on the wonderful work you are doing over the past few years. It used to be volatile, but since your arrival things have taken a change for the best,” the councillor told the senior cop.

He reminded Dobson that he had promised that permits would once again be issued once crime went down.

“I am here on behalf of the citizens of Grange Hill to ask, ‘When?’” queried Lyttleton.

The councillor argued that the continued suspension of permits has negatively affected the local economy and deprived its 9,000 residents of opportunities to earn.

“Many people have been suffering. Crime is down in Grange Hill, so I am just pleading with you now, sir,” he added, while also calling for upgrades to the Grange Hill Police Station and the inclusion of cops in the area in the parish’s body-worn camera programme.

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In response, SSP Dobson acknowledged that discussions have already taken place regarding the issue and suggested that the possibility of limited permits could be revisited if the community continues to maintain its current progress.

“I would be the proudest man to see Grange Hill finish the end of the year with zero crime and zero shootings, and you are 50 per cent there,” Dobson said. “I want to encourage the members to keep it that way.”

He said the parish has seen a 40 per cent reduction in major crimes, including murders and shootings.

“We recorded 20 murders at this time last year. We have currently recorded 12 murders,” Dobson said.

The senior superintendent also highlighted the ongoing roll-out of body-worn cameras among members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, describing the initiative as a key tool in crime fighting and accountability.

“Today we have almost 200 persons trained in the use of body-worn cameras. You will start seeing more of my officers with cameras. Within the next week we should be in the 300, going to 600,” he said.

Dobson revealed that five of the parish’s 12 murders this year stemmed from incidents of domestic violence. He urged residents embroiled in domestic disputes to seek help from support agencies such as the Domestic Violence Intervention Centre in Negril and the Restorative Justice Programme.

He explained that the police routinely refer individuals involved in domestic conflict to these avenues for mediation, which have played an important role in reducing violence and preventing crimes from escalating.