‘It’s a huge deal’

The St Andrew North police, having seized four illegal firearms and 46 assorted rounds of ammunition across the division in five days, believe they have made a significant step in reducing the bloodletting and murders in the space.

In the latest incident on Monday night, one Canik–TP9 pistol fitted with a magazine containing eighteen 9mm rounds was seized by the police during a confrontation with armed suspects reportedly travelling in a grey Toyota Axio with a pair of government registration plates stolen from an ambulance.

After a shootout, the men ran, leaving the firearm and police paraphernalia behind in the abandoned car at Earls Court Mews. They escaped in the area.

A 69-year-old security guard, who was on duty at a nearby apartment, received a gunshot wound to his left index finger during the shooting.

The Independent Commission of Investigation has been notified of the incident.

Also on Monday, some time after 10 a.m., in St Williams district in Border, Lawrence Tavern, a Taurus 9mm containing 12 live rounds was seized.

Since the start of the year, at least 20 murders have been committed in St Andrew North, and the primary weapon, according to divisional commander Superintendent Shericka Service, has been the gun.

GANG-RELATED CRIMES

“Most of the crimes in our division, by virtue of our statistics, are being committed by gangs and their weapon of choice is the gun. Most, if not all of the murders they have committed, are with the use of the gun, so to recover four firearms in five days, it’s a huge deal,” Service said, commending the police personnel under her command.

Last Thursday, the Stony Hill police, working alongside members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), seized a Beretta 9mm and a magazine containing 15 rounds.

The Gleaner has gathered that the police received information that a car with “strange men” aboard had got into mechanical difficulties along the roadway in the Sherbourne Heights area and responded.

During a search of the vehicle, the illegal weapon was found.

Four males, including a 14-year-old, were arrested and remain in custody.

The following day, a revolver with one live round was seized during an operation in the Burnside Valley area of Red Hills.

Last Wednesday, a shootout between warring factions in the same community resulted in a double murder and gunshot injury.

No one was arrested in connection with the three latest seizures.

Superintendent Service told The Gleaner that the seizure of even one illegal firearm means lives have been saved.

“Taking a firearm off the street is a big thing because that’s what they are using mostly to commit the murders in the division,” she said, estimating that at least 46 lives have been saved as a result of the recent ammunition seizures.

FLARE-UP OF VIOLENCE

The St Andrew North Police Division has seen a flare-up of violence in some sections over the past two weeks and the security forces have stepped up patrols to reassure residents of their safety.

In April, Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake said during his inaugural press briefing that ridding the country of illegal guns remains a top priority and that the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s focus on illegal firearms has yielded tangible results.

“In 2024, there has been a seven per cent increase in gun seizures, with pistols being the most commonly seized firearm. Ammunition seizures rose by 41 per cent, reflecting our intensified efforts to rid our streets of these dangerous tools of violence,” Blake noted then.

He said that with greater legislative support through the new Firearms Act, the police will intensify their focus on removing illegal weapons from communities.

According to the JCF’s serious crimes statistics, as at May 4, the St Andrew North Police Division recorded 17 murders, on par year-on-year.

There was a 23 per cent increase in shootings with five more incidents than the corresponding period in 2023.

Since the start of the year, more persons have suffered injuries.

Rape was down 50 per cent, robberies down 47 per cent, and break-ins have declined by 46 per cent.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com