MINISTER of National Security Dr Horace Chang has commended members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for continuing to “take the fight” to gangs in communities across the island.
He said that in Area Two alone (St Mary, St Ann and Portland), the police have been successful in apprehending 23 members of one gang.
He pointed out that many of the murders being committed in the island involve people who are familiar with each other and “also gang members killing gang members”.
“Our main focus is to continue to apprehend gang leaders. We intend to disrupt their operations while diminishing their status as dons and heroes within our communities. We are going to bring them to justice and lock them away,” Chang said.
He said that the Government will also be going after their assets, including those “they have been trying to conceal”.
Chang was addressing members of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce at a recent function at the Almond Tree Restaurant in Ocho Rios.
The security minister told business people that the Government “remains steadfast in our mission to serve and protect all of our citizens”.
He said that the ministry’s five-point crime plan remains an effective tool in going after the criminals, pledging that no stone will be left unturned to make communities safe.
He had high praises for the St Ann Police Division, noting that murders have been trending downwards in the parish over the past year.
Dr Chang said the Government recognises that major investment has to be made in order to ensure that the security forces have the tools to operate at an optimal level.
“Security is one of those critical things that, as a Government, we have to provide. It is also something that will lead to sustainable development…something which will take us on that road to prosperity,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, he informed that rehabilitation work will be done on a number of police stations across the island.
“Our hard-working police men and women deserve to be operating in a proper work environment, and we will be doing all that we can to make that a reality,” he said
I must say I like it. Chang with a change is what I’m going to call u. Go choo police mi like innu today.