Cops on the lookout for migrating criminals

Police personnel across the Corporate Area say that while they have not received any reports of 'unfamiliar' faces appearing in recent days, they are fully prepared to deal with any displaced criminals who migrate from hurricane ravaged parishes.

In recent days, groups of police officers have been spotted walking along sections of White Hall Avenue and other areas, sparking speculation among residents that they are migrating criminals seeking shelter. But Superintendent Randy Sweeny, the commanding officer for the St Andrew North Division, said that one of the High Command's directives is to increase foot patrols at this time of year, "especially in some of those areas that the mobile patrol might not be readily able to penetrate". He added that anticipating displacement of wrongdoers must be a part of the analysis.

"We are monitoring that situation. If criminals will be displaced as a result of this hurricane, we are able to intercept," he said. Sweeney said he has not received formal reports from residents about seeing unfamiliar faces.

"If they (residents) think something is of significance, call 119, call the respective police station, or reach out to any police they are confident in."

In the Kingston Central Division, Deputy Superintendent Rohan Richie said foot patrols are common, especially in busy commercial corridors.

"If you move through downtown Kingston, you realise there's a lot of foot patrol presence - Princess Street, Luke Lane, and general North, South, East and West Parade," he said. Richie said he was not expecting a drift of criminals into the division, but "we are prepared in terms of intelligence apparatus to counter should that happen". He urged residents to stay alert but also reasonable.

"If strange persons are seen, they need to call, but out of an abundance of caution, there are persons who are maybe genuinely displaced and have relatives in the area. We can't label all the persons we see moving in and around the space as persons with criminal intent. That is why we police that situation from an intelligence-led perspective," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, who heads the Area Four police, said there are strategies in place to deal with migrating offenders, and that the space "is not a place for migrant criminals or persons with ill intent."