Jamaica records more than 20 per cent increase in murders
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Dec 26, CMC – Jamaica has recorded a 21 per cent increase in murders with one more week to go before the end of 2017, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The JCF’s Periodic Serious and Violent Crimes Review show that 1, 581 people were murdered, an increase of 257 for the corresponding figure last year.
The figures show that St. James, the suburban parish, located on the north-west end of the island, recorded the highest number of killings with 325 followed by St Andrew, south east of here with 88, with the southern parish of Clarendon 166, Westmoreland, the westernmost parish recording 147, St Catherine North 138 and Kingston Western 125.
The police also recorded 1443 reported cases of shootings, compared with 1100 over the corresponding period last year.
According to the police figures, nearly 100 people have been murdered so far this month with illegal funs featuring in 82 per cent of all the murders recorded for the year.
The police said that 53 children were killed during the year so far as well as eight police officers.
The authorities said they have seized 846 illegal guns so far this year and 21,000 rounds of ammunition as compared to 632 illegal guns and 8,000 rounds of ammunition last year.
The number of people shot and killed by police increased from 93 last year to 156 people so far in 2017.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Dec. 24, CMC – President David Granger, has pardoned five women who have completed part of their prison sentence for non-violent offenses.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Granger has signed off and granted the Presidential pardon to Shabana Asgar, 34, Shellon David,24, Ronella Junor, 27 Maxine Baird Sampson,27 Reina Vargas, 54.
The Ministry says the prisoners “have each served a portion of their respective sentences for offences ranging from larceny, fraud and giving false oath.”
The pardons will take effect on Monday – Christmas day.
Since taking office in 2015, the President has been offering pardons to non-violent women and youths who find themselves behind bars.
Once freed, they will participate in programmes geared towards reintegrating them into society.
Gunmen kill three in early morning raid
by STAFF WRITER
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Dec 23, CMC – Police are searching for gunmen who killed three people but spared the lives of two children during an early home invasion on Saturday.
The police said that the incident occurred at Cunupia, a town in central Trinidad. The authorities said a woman was among those killed. They have identified the victims as Vinta James, Wellington Thomas and Tristan Guy.
Resident said that gunshots were heard at around 6.00 am (local time) and later saw a group of men fleeing the area.
Two of those killed were found on a bed while the third was found in a corridor to the home.
Two children, who were said to be in the house at the time were not harmed.
So far this year, more than 473 people have been murdered in Trinidad and Tobago. Last year, the death toll stood at 463.
Two killed in plane crash
by STAFF WRITER
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dec. 24, CMC – An investigation has been launched into a plane crash that killed two people here on Saturday.
The police report that the small plane crashed shorting after take off.
The plane was enroute to The Bahamas.
According to the CEO of the Airport Authority here, John Smith, the aircraft was enguled in flames and thick smoke when it crashed on a road close to the airport.
The police have not released the idenities of those killed.
Two killed as vehicle ploughs into crowd
by STAFF WRITER
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Dec 26, CMC – At least two people were killed and 18 others injured after a vehicle ploughed into a group of young people celebrating Christmas in the K-Soleil neighbourhood of , Gonaïves in northern Haiti, the authorities have said.
The driver of the vehicle is reported to have fled the scene of the accident that left 23-year-old Robenson Ulcera and 27 year-old Jean-Fito Marc dead.
The authorities said that 18 people including some as young as 13-years-old were also injured and taken to the hospital of La Providence.
They said that the causes of the accident remain unknown, but the Justice of the Peace, Blondel Petit-Frère, who was accompanied by members of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) , said he believes that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or that the brakes of the vehicle had malfunctioned.
Police seize nearly 150 pounds of cocaine
by STAFF WRITER
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Dec 26, CMC – A taxi driver is due to appear in court later this week after police said they found more than 145 pounds of cocaine in a cooking gas cylinder on Sunday.
The authorities said that they found the drugs after carrying out a search of the man’s vehicle at his home in the Boodhoo’s Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara.
On cutting up the gas cylinder, the police said that they found the drugs and arrested the unidentified taxi driver.
The value of the drugs were not disclosed.
