Guns found in unlikely places

In the ongoing battle against gun-related crimes across Jamaica, law enforcement officials have been uncovering illegal weapons in some unexpected locations.

Last week, cops found a 9mm handgun near a pigsty in Seaview Gardens, St Andrew. Days earlier, another operation yielded a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition beneath a house, in a cellar, on McKoy Lane, Kingston 11.

Senior Superintendent of Police Damion Manderson, a crime intelligence analyst, said "Criminals hide weapons in a lot of weird places all the time ... Criminals employ every conceivable method to hide their weapons."

Manderson said that the continuous training of police personnel and the investment in technology has been key in the recovery of firearms. He also said that building trust with citizens has been key to the recovery efforts.

Noting that the use of illegal firearms accounts for about 80 per cent of all murders in Jamaica, Manderson said it is critical that these weapons be removed from communities.

"Disarming gangs is critical to dismantling their power structures and safeguarding communities," he said.

"Each seized firearm represents a potential life saved," Manderson added.

Data contained in the Jamaica Constabulary Force's serious crimes report indicate that there have been 517 cases of shootings between January 1 and June 22 this year. There were 560 murders over the same period, which is a 12 per cent decrease when compared with the corresponding period last year.