ComPol Says More to be Done to Tackle Gang-Related Crimes in 2020

Chester Williams

Speaking to the media today, ComPol Williams says that there were also a growing number of domestic related deaths and they will be looking into increased collaboration to try to stem that for this year.  Williams also noted that their numbers show a decrease in the number of gang-related murders. He says the number recorded in 2019 is the lowest since 2008.  But going into this year, Williams says the department is expected to make some changes to its approaches to crime and one of the things he is hopes to see come to fruition is the hiring of a gang intervention officer.  The Commissioner discussed that today, among other plans to take on crime in the New Year. Here’s more.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“While for 2019, it is the lowest number of gang murders we have had since 2008, we still think there is more to be done in terms of containing the gang issue. We want to see us getting on board a conflict officer or a gang intervention officer. If we can get that person on board to work with us and we already have a person in mind, then that person can work between us and CYDP to see how we can deal with different gang issues to further take down the gang related murders. Then we want to look at partnering with different organizations. We want to establish a citizen’s advisory committee and we want that committee to have members of different government organizations, as well as the churches, civil society, and any other person who is of good standing to serve as an advisory board to police to look at how we can deal with certain crime related issues and also to help the police to lobby for equipment and things needed to fight the crime situation. I think once we get those things going in 2020, we will have a much better year than 2019.”