Public giving police more support, say officials

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MEMBERS of the security forces are getting more support from the public, law enforcers told the Observer in interviews yesterday.

Some have even said that they were getting their best support in recent time, following their renewed thrust to clamp down on crime

The crime fighters, still haunted by the stigma of corrupt activities by some of their own over the years, said that the force was slowly winning back the trust of Jamaicans.

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said yesterday that things were looking up.

"It is certainly encouraging," he said. "It is certainly something that we will have to build on," the commissioner added.

Superintendent in charge of operations at the Mobile Reserve Winchroy Budhoo was also upbeat.

"I have never seen it better than this," Budhoo said.

"More Jamaicans are coming on board and helping the police. They are sharing more information with the police," Budhoo stated.

Budhoo also urged law enforcers to maintain a professional conduct in their daily activities.

"It is something that we would want to see continue and that is why the police are being urged to continue their duties in a professional manner," said Budhoo.

Similar feedback came from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) which extended its call-out period from July 22 to August 18, in order to facilitate the continued support of the police/military operations in sections of the island.

"The JDF wishes to thank all employers and the local business community whose understanding and sacrifice have helped us to remove over 14,500 rounds of ammunition and over 88 illegal weapons from the hands of criminals," the JDF said in a news release.

"Although there is still much more to be done, this mutually beneficial partnership between the JDF and the business community will help us to continue our efforts to reduce crime and violence and create a safer, more secure Jamaica, the release said.

A State of Emergency was declared over the capital city Kingston on Sunday, May 23 after gunmen loyal to then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who was wanted by United States authorities for drug-related and gunrunning charges, burnt and damaged several police stations in an attempt to block the security forces from arresting Coke.

Over 70 persons were killed in subsequent clashes that followed for three days.

Coke was later captured on Tuesday, June 22, after a month-long search, but members of the security forces have since continued their search for criminals across the island by setting up several curfews, the latest of which was in West Kingston yesterday where 191 persons were detained.

Police have blamed the exodus of criminals to rural communities on the increased presence of the security forces in Corporate Area and St Catherine communities based on the extended state of emergency.