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JCF sets up special anti-gang task force
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is moving forward with the establishment of a multi-agency anti-gang task force to focus on guns, gangs, gang leaders and their proceeds.
This was revealed by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang on May 19 when he tabled the report of the Joint Select Committee to review and report on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill 2014, commonly known as the Anti-Gangster Bill, in the House of Representatives.
He informed that the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) of the JCF is working closely with the departmental Proactive Investigation Unit (PIU) to combat criminal gangs more effectively.
Dr Zhang said as the Government strives to create a safe, secure and prosperous society, the prevalence of criminal gangs and networks in the community and their criminal activities posed a clear and imminent danger.
He noted that according to the latest assessment by the Jamaica Alliance National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), there were 389 criminal gangs in Jamaica at the end of 2019.
Of these, 250 (64%) were considered active, and the remaining 139 (36%) were classified as dormant.
Minister Zhang pointed out that there are currently 323 active criminal gangs, accounting for 83% of the total number of criminal gangs. Due to their loose leadership and lack of maturity, they are classified as “first-generation” criminal gangs.
“These gangs are also characterized by their main mission being to protect territory and control funds for profit,” Dr Zhang said.
He noted that the remaining 66 gangs, or 17 percent, were classified as “second generation” gangs, which have more centralized leadership and are primarily involved in organized crime.
Dr. Zhang informed that, consistent with historical trends, corporate areas still account for the largest proportion of gangs.
He said the four districts include Kingston West, Kingston Central, Kingston East, St Andrew Central and St Andrew South police stations, which together involve 249 known gangs on the island, accounting for 64 per cent of the total number of gangs.
“It is noteworthy that at the precinct level, 78 (20.1%) of the gangs detected islandwide were based within St Andrew South police station.
The National Security Minister said it was followed by Kingston Central and Kingston West police stations at 13.1 per cent and 12.3 per cent respectively.
In addition, District 5 (including St. Catherine North, St. Catherine South, St. Andrew North and St. Thomas) has the second highest number of gangs in the country, with 57 gangs, accounting for 14.7%.
Close behind is District 1 (St James, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny) with 51 gangs, or 13.1 per cent.
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