St Catherine South police cite partnerships for sharp murder reduction

Police commanders in St Catherine South say a mix of community partnership, focused operations and Area 5 coordination has helped the division record major crime reductions across Portmore, Old Harbour and Central Village.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Howard Chambers, the Area 5 commander, said St Catherine South requires a different operational touch from neighbouring St Catherine North because of its flatter terrain, dense population and dormitory communities. Still, he said both divisions are increasingly being treated as one St Catherine policing space, allowing officers to move across divisional lines based on crime trends.

Senior Superintendent Leighton Gray, who heads St Catherine South, said his earlier three-year service as operations officer in the division has helped him work with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. He said police have emphasised policing “by the consent of the people” and use quarterly virtual town halls to get feedback from residents and adjust their approach.

The division has reported a 68 per cent reduction in murders and a 63 per cent fall in shootings. Police said murders moved from 28 at the comparable point last year to nine, while the first quarter closed with four murders compared with 19 in the previous year’s first quarter.

Gray said focused deterrence, community safety work, intelligence, investigations and daily collaboration among operational teams have been central to the results. Chambers said robberies are down 27 per cent and break-ins 31 per cent, with officers using crime analysis, public order enforcement and public education to guide deployments and reduce opportunities for theft.

Chambers also credited improved operational training, including work by the Area Fugitive Apprehension Team, for strengthening the police response. He said school resource officers, meetings with deans of discipline and youth-focused programmes are also being used to steer students away from gangs.

Gray said the division is encouraging members to remain focused, even as morale is supported through staff activities such as football and netball competitions. He said the team is aiming to finish the year strongly and continue building a more peaceful St Catherine South.