Deadly Strangers: Portland cops target outsiders behind murder uptick

An increase in fatal shootings has prompted the Portland police to increase their presence on the streets, with Acting Superintendent in charge of the police division, Velonique Campbell, attributing the violence to persons who are not from the eastern parish.

Campbell made the remarks during Thursday's monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC), emphasising that three gun murders in the parish capital of Port Antonio were committed by who she called "itinerant criminals, meaning persons who travel from elsewhere to the parish".

She told parochial councillors that, "The division remains committed and you will see a lot more policing activities, especially on the streets."

At the same time, the senior law enforcer pleaded with the municipal representatives to speak with the residents they represent.

She made the point that an individual will not journey from St James or Kingston to murder a stranger in Portland, and called on residents to find better ways to resolve their disputes.

"I am asking you, the councillors, to talk to your constituents to be more aware of your surroundings, and when you see unfamiliar persons, please say something to the police," Campbell urged.

Portland has seen a significant increase in murders this year, with five reported so far up to Thursday, compared to two over the same period last year,  representing a 150 per cent increase in murders there.

Campbell noted that three of the murders have been cleared up, with arrests made, and investigations are ongoing into the other two cases.

The police recently arrested and charged two St Catherine men who can be considered "outsiders", in connection with the shooting death of 31-year-old vendor, Ryan Smith, of Ackee Tree Lane, Lighthouse Road in Port Antonio on March 4.

The suspects, 27-year-old Andre Smith and 19-year-old Michael Morris, both from addresses in Portmore, St Catherine, were apprehended after ballistic evidence linked them to the crime.

A release from the Constabulary Communications Network (CNN) on Thursday said about 7:40 am on the aforementioned date, Smith was at his stall when a black Subaru motorcar was driven up and stopped beside him.

Morris, who was reportedly armed with a handgun, allegedly alighted from the vehicle and fired several shots in Smith’s direction, hitting him all over his body.

Morris then boarded the vehicle and fled the scene.

The police were informed of the incident and quickly intercepted the vehicle along the Buff Bay main road as the men tried to escape the parish.

The men were taken into custody after a spent casing was reportedly found in the car when a search was conducted.

Morris and Smith were jointly charged with murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, and using a firearm to commit a felony, on Wednesday, March 12, this after they were interviewed in the presence of their attorney.

Another murder that was committed in Portland this year was caused by a so-called 'outsider', and a Haitian national was arrested and charged with fatally stabbing another Haitian man during a dispute in Windsor Forest last month.

At a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Area Council Two meeting in Portland on Sunday, Member of Parliament (MP) for Western Portland, Daryl Vaz, raised concerns about the rising murder rate in the parish, calling for the police to take action against "importees and deportees" who he claims are contributing to the violence.

"I have been the Member of Parliament from 2007 to 2025 and everything remains calm. My wife (MP for East Portland, Ann-Marie Vaz) has been there from 2019 to 2025, six years," Daryl Vaz said then.

"We have seen an influx of importees and deportees, and I am calling on the Police High Command tonight, and the Minister of National Security (Dr Horace Chang), flush them out and flush them out quick! No matter who they are, or who they represent, we are not going to tolerate it! And I can tell you that I will be on it from now until we restore Portland to its original state of peace and safety," Vaz declared.

Campbell reiterated on Thursday that the police is committed to working to address the crime issues, with a focus on identifying and apprehending perpetrators.