WHEREAS NATIONAL homicide figures spiked in 2008, the St Catherine South police recorded a marginal reduction in murders, down to 113 from 125 in 2007, the third straight year the division marked a decrease.
St Catherine South encompasses Portmore to the south, Old Harbour to the west and Ferry to the north, and is headed by newly promoted superintendent, Marlon Nesbeth, who said he intends to cut homicide numbers below 100 for 2009.
Nesbeth said the St Catherine South police removed 90 illegal guns from its streets last year.
"What we're looking for this year is double digits, as opposed to triple digits, where murders are concerned," said the divisional head.
"Last year, we saw a reduction to 113, which was roughly 10 per cent less than the previous year," Nesbeth pointed out.
St Catherine South's homicide rate peaked in 2004 when 148 persons were killed. Since then, initiatives such as the appointment and recruitment of specialised crime-fighting personnel to the division have led to a steady reduction.
Hot spots targeted
"Last year, we formalised some strategies which bore fruit in the mid to latter part of the year. We targeted hot spots where murders were committed - Newland, Braeton, Central Village, Waterford and Old Harbour.
"In targeting these areas, we carried out a significant number of operations, which led to the record recovery of guns, the choice weapon of murder perpetrators," he said.
The division, which boasts Portmore as the biggest planned housing development in the Caribbean, has seen a general reduction in crime - almost 30 per cent.
This, Nesbeth said, was a direct result of strategies implemented last year, reflecting a reduction in robberies and rapes.
Nesbeth said he and his team would maintain the strategies used in 2008.
"We also were able to capture wanted men, some charged for murders and other crimes, now incarcerated and before the courts.
Further reductions expected
"With them being off the streets and our sustained activities, we expect once we're consistent,we will be able to reduce the homicide rate much further."
The St Catherine South top cop said the citizens of Portmore had significantly contributed to the division's success.
"It will take a lot of commitment and hard work. One of the things we want to implore is for the good citizens to keep supporting us," he said.
"Our success is not void of the citizens, who give good intelligence for us to act on speedily. We also invite persons to come forward, even on cold cases, because I think it's high time the citizenry take a stance to help bring back some level of sanity where this crime and homicide are concerned."
Police personnel, he said, remain dedicated and deserve high praise.
"We have a good set of hard-working, dedicated officers," Nesbeth pointed out. "We also have good team leaders and, as a result, the division can boast some level of success."
ainsley.walters@gleanerjm.com