SSP Samuels assures stakeholders that Montego Bay is safe

Commander of the St James Police Division, Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, is assuring stakeholders that despite last Tuesday’s incident in which two police officers were shot and injured while foiling a supermarket robbery in Montego Bay, the security forces remain committed to maintaining safety and security in the resort city.

Samuels gave the assurance while he, along with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) maintained a strong presence in Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on Friday.

Three men who were suspected of having shot and injured the two lawmen on Tuesday night, were fatally shot in separate confrontations with the police later last week.

The police reportedly recovering three illegal firearms during the operations that were carried out in Lilliput, Salt Spring and Albion Lane.

Samuels revealed that one suspect re the foiled robbery and shooting, who is believed to have been injured, remains at large.

"We are confident now that we have a handle of the situation. There is one suspect who we believe is outstanding.  We believe that he is injured and somebody or persons out there who are sympathetic to him, are rendering treatment.

“We are asking that nobody tries to offer that kind of support because they are undermining the safety and security of the residents of St James," he said.

On Tuesday night two JCF members were shot and injured as they foiled a robbery at a supermarket on Church Street in Montego Bay.

According to reports from the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), members of the St James Beat Officer Patrol Division (BOPD) intercepted the armed men during the incident, resulting in a shootout with the hoodlums who were armed with a high-powered weapon and a handgun.

Samuels said a criminal syndicate has been targeting the business community in the city since late last year. He added that while law enforcement has successfully apprehended several members of the syndicate, Tuesday's incident marked one of the most daring attacks.

But following thorough investigations, the police tracked down individuals who are linked to the group, some of whom refused to surrender and were fatally shot.

Samuels urged members of the public and business owners to cooperate with the police by sharing any relevant information to help maintain safety and security. He also reassured the residents that law enforcement efforts have significantly disrupted the syndicate’s operations.