VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #0292/01 0601807
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011807Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4400
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 7426
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3027

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000292 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/C, INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (BUDDEN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC JM KCRM PGOV SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICAN CRIME UPDATE 
 
REF: A)KINGSTON 69 AND B)KINGSTON 71 
 
1.(U) Summary:  This is an action message. See paragraphs 10 
and 12.  The GOJ has made specific requests for USG 
assistance in tackling on-going efforts to quell violent 
crime.  In January, a surge in violence shocked the Jamaican 
public and prompted the Commissioner of Police to warn of 
worse to come during months leading up to national elections 
this year.  But, after an initial spate of violence, things 
appeared to cool off by the middle of February.  The GOJ 
refined its anti-crime strategy.  As the epicenter of violent 
crime seemed to have shifted from Kingston to Montego Bay, 
law enforcement operations focused on Montego Bay. End 
summary. 
 
CRIME FIGURES 
 
2.(U) According to figures supplied by Deputy Police 
Commissioner Mark Shields, the number of persons arrested and 
charged for criminal offenses in Jamaica between January 1st 
and February 18th was 1,894 in 2007, compared to 2,338 for 
the same period in 2006.  However, murders committed during 
this period increased by 21% nation wide in 2007.   While the 
greater Kingston area was at the same number of murders as 
last year (125), St. James Parish (Montego Bay) went from 18 
murders for the period in 2006 to 31 in 2007, a 72% increase. 
 Clarendon (a marijuana trafficking center) registered an 
increase of 111%, going from 9 murders in this period in 2006 
to 19 in 2007.  So far this year, six police officials were 
murdered.  Comment:  Murders overall in Jamaica decreased by 
20% last year, compared to 2005. End Comment. 
 
ANTI-CRIME STRATEGY 
 
3.(U) On January 22, cabinet reportedly endorsed an 
anti-crime strategy put forth by Minister of National 
Security Peter Phillips.  Phillips made the strategy public 
on January 29.  He emphasized that it was not a new strategy; 
rather it was a plan for "staying the course."  Basically, 
that meant applying what worked in Kingston elsewhere.  It 
included the following: 
 
- applying hot-spot policing (intense focus of resources) to 
trouble areas any where in Jamaica 
- conducting joint operations using the Jamaica Defence Force 
(JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) 
- establishing a permanent presence of Operation Kingfish on 
the Western end of the island 
- expanding the Major Investigations Task Force to Western 
Jamaica 
 
4.(U) But, Phillips did call for some new initiatives, as 
well.  They were 
 
- new legislation to allow DNA evidence to be collected from 
accused persons 
- enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Act before the end of 
February 
- legislation to provide stiffer penalties for persons 
trafficking in firearms 
- legislation to establish a National Investigative Authority 
to deal with investigations of corruption in all areas of 
public life 
- deploying marine vessels around the island and establishing 
three permanent marine police bases on the south coast to 
deal with arms smuggling 
- a major recruitment drive to increase numbers and quality 
of JCF staff 
- review the Police Service Regulations and the Book of Rules 
to expand legal powers to remove tainted JCF members 
- strengthen operation of the newly created Police Civilian 
Oversight Authority and the anti-corruption unit within the 
JCF's Professional Standards Branch 
- Upgrade technologies available to the JCF, including the 
police radio system and the 119 emergency hotline 
 
5.(U) Following the Minister's lead, Commissioner of Police 
Lucius Thomas gave an address on January 31, in which he