Police patrols boosted in WB

| 01/09/2014

(CNS): Following a series of drive-by shootings in the district recently, the head of the West Bay Police Station told members of the community that patrols had been boosted in the district and police were aware of a heightening of gang tensions. As residents expressed their concerns about getting caught up in random shootings after at least three properties were shot at, reportedly by young people on motor bikes, in the early hours of 23 August Chief Inspector Harlan Powery said that the USG and the regular officers were all on alert and heightened their street presence. Powery revealed that police believed the motive behind the shootings was an escalation in a petty dispute.

CI Powery expressed his concerns that what he said was nothing more than a “silly argument” between some gang members had escalated to the point where guns were being used.

Powery said he was unable to confirm at that point how many weapons had been fired last weekend and despite calls for information as yet no one had been arrested. He pointed to work being undertaken by the RCIPS in the district however, to diffuse the escalation of tensions and try to keep a lid on what could be more eruptions in violence as tensions rose.
Speaking at a meeting at the district primary school on Thursday CI Powery acknowledged the concerns of the people present regarding the use of firearms. Residents spoke about the need for those who knew anything to go to the police and support them in their endeavours to arrest the people who had the firearms.

Residents pointed the finger at “SuperC’s” as a key area where crime was rife and one local resident said there was drug use gambling and prostitution all taking place in the area of the local food place as she asked the police to patrol that area more. She said however, that the residents of the area had to stop being afraid of the local criminals and start reporting what they knew. 

In the early hours of 23 August several shots were fired in at least three different locations in West Bay by people on motorbikes. Although no one was injured police recovered bullets, bullet holes and shell casings from Super C’s at a residence on Jefferson Road and at another in Topaz Lane.

Anyone with information regarding on what are understood to be targeted drive by shootings is urged to contact the West Bay Police Station CID at 949 -3999 or CRIME STOPPERS at 800-8477 (TIPS).

 

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  1. Anonyanmous says:

    They need to protect East End where the drugs and guns are coming in, far too many criminals are landing there and off loading their illegal loot.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Who cares if the ganstas shoot each other? I say let them get on with it, and arrest the last man standing.

  3. Nuts says:

    And East End is left wide open and unattended for the Jamaican canoes to unload their produce freely and refuel for the trip back to the SE.

  4. Anonyanmous says:

    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

    People please tell what you see and know because your telling might save your own life bullets kill and unfortunately they don't have eyes.  These thugs need to be taken off the street and out of the general society if they are not going to live according to the laws of society.

    • LL says:

      I so agree with you 06:44 …. tell what you know this goes to family members especially parents, they know exactly what their child is doing.  If afraid, call the crime stoppers line – it works.  Help get these thugs off the streets.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I wish the RCIP would squash the mole hill before the mountain emerges like it always does as a result of these “petty arguments”. In the gang world there is not sense of rationality, dialogue, and political correctness.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Oh please.  People report things and nothing happens.  The police don't show up so why bother waste your phone credit.

    • Anonymous says:

      Now ain't that the truth!  The RCIPS needs a complete overhaul! 

  7. LL says:

    I understand from this meeting that a gentleman saw motorbikes speeding up and down Watercourse Road sometime before the shootings and called West Bay station about it asking for an officer to check it out as they looked suspicious as if the bikes were stolen.  Unfortunately, it is not that simple anymore to just call the WB station to have officers come out – the gentleman was told that he had to call 911 he then stated that he don't have an emergency but was told again to call 911 which he did not…. unfortunately, we know what happened after that but thankfully, no one was injured or killed!

  8. Anonymous says:

    We also need increased patrols in the North Sound to catch boat thieves and poachers. 

    • Anonymous says:

      They need to keep an keen eye on the eastern side, where they are slaughtering the green turtles.  Not enough surveillance.

      • Anonymous says:

        Sound like. You trying to divert attention from west bay.I am sure Eastend is a lot quiter than west bay.

        • Anonymous says:

          "EE alot quieter than WB…"

          WTF part of the island you from?

          EE is dead-man land, FACT!

           
    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, protecting the toys of the rich is more important than protecting people from being shot.

      • Anonymous says:

        Wake up man. Why do you think the boats are being stolen. Same people bringing in drugs and guns. This is the second time you have made that comment 

  9. Concerned Parent says:

    They need to have more police on the roads by the schools also in the mornings and afternoons. Too many speeders on Hell RD, Fountain Rd, Town Hall Rd and Rev Blackman Rd. I have reported this to the WB station more than 3 times and have yet to see any police presence on the rd. I have seen them in the school directing traffic, but that dont stop speeding drivers. God forbids anything to happen to any child, but what are they waiting on!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      The fact that almost a quarter of the population feel it is appropriate (and are permitted) to drive around with tinted/painted or otherwise obfuscated licnece plates says everything you need to know about our collectivedesire to live in a law abiding society.   Pathetic.

    • LL says:

      call 911…. they don't take calls like that anymore at the sub stations – what a waste of time.  God please protect our children.

    • Anonymous says:

      They don't want to get their boots dusty!