Such a programme, said the governor general, not only encourages residents to be vigilant and report criminal activities to the police, but also help to "tide-over" manpower constraints of the force, while fostering better community involvement.
public forum
Dr Allen was speaking Wednesday at a public forum hosted by the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority (PCOA) at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church Hall in May Pen, Clarendon. The forum was held under the theme 'Transforming the Jamaica Constabulary Force to a Police Service that is Responsible to Community Needs'.
There are about 516 neighbourhood watch groups across the island but more than half are now dormant, according to the police. The governor general, who assumed office last week, said that such groups required leadership and an executive body to be effective in sustaining their existence.
Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, who also spoke, said that communities could seek assistance from the police in forming neighbourhood watch groups. He also urged groups to invite the police to their meetings. "You should always inform the superintendent that you are having a meeting and the police should attend. If a member of the police force is not in attendance, you go and report it higher up," the police commissioner told residents.
Wednesday's May Pen forum was part of a series of public meetings being organised by the PCOA across the island to encourage better community engagement with the police, foster and promote accountability at the community level and to inform citizens of the body's mandate. Other public meetings have been held in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, and Montego Bay, St James.