JCF targeting 233 violence producers in strategic crackdown

In a bid to stem Jamaica’s tide of extreme violence, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has identified 233 individuals as key violence producers who will be pursued by its specialised operations branch.

The announcement was made by Acting Deputy Commissioner (DCP) in charge of the Specialised Operations Branch, Warren Clarke, at the branch's annual conference on Wednesday.

Clarke, according to a statement from the JCF, outlined a targeted approach aimed at apprehending prolific offenders and dismantling the networks fuelling Jamaica’s staggering murder rate.

“We have categorised those who we believe are very prolific. We call those strategic targets, and those targets ought to be pursued from here (specialised operations branch),” Clarke stated.

He further indicated that more targeted individuals fall within the purview of Area-specific Fugitive Apprehension Teams (AFATs) and local Operational Support Teams (OSTs).

"This multi-tiered approach is designed to maximise operational efficiency and address the core drivers of violent crimes across the country," the constabulary said in the statement.

Jamaica’s murder rate, which Clarke described as “singularly crippling” to the nation, remains one of the highest in the region, second only to Haiti.

To underscore the gravity of the situation, Clarke highlighted that nearly 1,100 people have been killed this year alone, a figure that rivals death tolls in conflict zones.

“Not even people who are at war are killing people as efficiently as we are,” he stated.

Clarke lamented the devastating impact of the losses, noting that the violence has robbed the nation of untapped potential and intellectual capital.

“Of those 1,100 people who died this year, have we ever considered the intellect that has been lost?” he questioned.

According to the JCF, the repercussions of violence extend beyond personal tragedies to Jamaica’s economic stability.

Clarke opined that crime is driving away foreign investment and stifling national economic growth.

“Crime diverts foreign exchange from Jamaica. All those foreign investment opportunities and business people, they stay away because of the violence problem too,” he suggested.

The vicious cycle of violence and economic stagnation, he said, threatens the very survival of the country.

Despite the challenges, the JCF said it remains resolute in its commitment to reducing the murder rate.

Clarke outlined a bold goal of achieving fewer than 1,000 murders annually, dubbing the current year as a “rehearsal” for the larger challenge ahead.

“We tried it this year to have a sub-1,000 year, and it was a good rehearsal,” he said.

However, he acknowledging the late start in this year’s efforts, and expressed optimism for next year’s campaign, which he believes will be critical to the nation’s future.

“None of those nice things we talk about — making Jamaica the place to do business and raise families — will happen unless we deal with violence,” the acting deputy commissioner stressed.

Jamaica has not registered below 1,000 murders a calendar year since 2003 when the island recorded 973 killings nationally.

Meanwhile, Clarke issued a rallying call to the members of the JCF's Specialised Operations Branch, urging them to remain focused on their mission and its alignment with the constabulary's broader goals.

“Keep focused on our overall mission of specialised operations and how this integrates or has strategic fit with the mission of the force and country overall,” he stated.