Prime Minister Andrew Holness has praised strategies implemented by Hanover police that have reportedly reduced the murder rate in the parish.
While working in the diocese on Friday, Mr Holness received a safety and security update from Hanover Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Andrew Nish, who reported that the murder rate in the diocese capital had fallen by 11 per cent since the start of the year.
This is a notable achievement for an area that is occasionally affected by crime, particularly gang-related activity, which police say is often driven by lottery scams, according to reports.
Holness praised Hanover police, saying he was “very pleased with the strategies they are putting in place to manage the evacuees from the other two parishes and bring the gang activity lurking here under control.”
Friday’s release said that while Hanover is not generally a high crime area, the parish regularly sees high crime reports due to its geographic location.
Hanover borders Westmoreland and St James, which can cause a spillover of criminal activity. Since then, police have implemented a robust strategy to manage the removal of criminal activity from these neighbouring parishes and to try to control the activity of resident gangs.
Police noted that this proactive approach was crucial in maintaining public safety and law and order across the parish.
Mr. Holness noted that the recent success in reducing violent crime in Hanover was due to the continued dedication and strategic efforts of police.
