Chester Heading South to Deal with Uptick in P.G. Crimes
Chester Williams
There have been two murders within forty-eight hours in Punta Gorda. This is not sitting well with the community, or the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. He is in that southernmost municipality this week to look into the criminal activity believed to be as a result of gang warfare. And ComPol Williams says that the department is not going to have it. He speaks to the strategy to ensure citizen safety in Punta Gorda.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“It is not shocking to hear a minor killing somebody. That has been the norm. If you look at most of our murders we have had of recent, the perpetrator is always a minor. And that is the sad part because often times yo hear parents crying, “Oh dah mi lee baby that, dah wah minor.” No, those are the ones who are the ones who are going to look you straight in the eye and kill yo. So, as a department, we are mindful of that as well. It does not mean that we are going to be harsh or rough with minors, but there are some minors we must come down hard on because of the fact that they have developed that criminal propensity from a even much earlier age. We continue to see an issue in terms of gang rivalries in Punta Gorda Town and as a department, we are pretty much concerned about it. Just this morning in our conference, I briefed commanders as to what our course of action is going to be to address the ongoing issue in Punta Gorda Town. As a police department, we owe it to the people of Punta Gorda to ensure that we provide the level of citizen security that they so rightly deserve. I just announced some changes that will happen in Punta Gorda Town as early as this week. We need to ensure that we put people in place who are going to fulfil the mandate of the department. Within the scope of what will be done in Punta Gorda Town, that it will encompass that aspect. It is not to say that we will be soft on criminals because those persons who are part and parcels of the problem in Punta Gorda, I can assure you that they will feel the wrath of the police. But the wider citizenry who are law-abiding and in compliance, they are going to experience the softer side of police. We want to promote an atmosphere where the people are going to feel free and confident in speaking to the police officers, particularly those in charge.”
The Acting Director of the Department of Youth Services will be joining ComPol Williams on the visit to Punta Gorda to see what services can be provided through D.Y.S. to deter the recruitment of minors into gangs and from engaging in criminal activities.
