Murder Count Rising; Police Awaken to Meet the Challenge

Allen Whylie

It’s only twenty-four days into the New Year and already there are ten murders; two are double murders and that number does not including the shooting death of Mario Vernon Junior in Punta Gorda. Police already have their hands full following the year 2017 as one of the most murderous years in recent times. Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie says the cops intend to respond quicker.

Allen Whylie, ComPol

“I think we are either ten or eleven murders and not twelve as you indicate. But the officers are out there working. We will not always get it right beucase the information is not forthcoming prior to these incidents occurring. And so where we are working to improve is the response time and the quality of the investigation. Crimes will always occur. We will have to be smart in terms of the investigation, but the public is the key in this fight. They have to step up and assist the department in terms of the preventative efforts as well as the sharing of information, intelligence. I mean even where there might be incidents known to them. They can alert the police in terms of the parties and we will be prepared to send in our people to meet and try to mediate before things escalate to these natures. So I don’t agree and support your statement because these incidents occur, we investigate and where we are able to marshal sufficient evidence, we do arrest and charge people.”