Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says he is pleased with the state of progress in the construction of two brand new police stations in Westmoreland which will help to change the face of policing in the parish.
Speaking after a tour of the work sites at Frome and Little London on Thursday, September 7, the Minister noted that the new stations will further decrease murders in the parish. Current Westmoreland police data indicated a 16 per cent decline in murders in the parish.
“Work on these two stations is proceeding at this time at a good pace; prior, there were some delays to startup which they have overcome and things are now moving along nicely,” he said, adding that the construction progress is being closely monitored to make sure they are delivered on time and within budget.
The Security Minister, accompanied by Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson and Senior Officers from the Westmoreland Police Division, also stopped briefly at the site earmarked for the new Divisional Headquarters on lands at the former Llandilo Community Centre.
According to Minister Chang, the need for the newly built stations cannot be overstated as they are needed to replace the old, dilapidated ones, and to give police personnel a fresh look and confidence boost to carry out their duties.
He pointed out that Westmoreland has seen an increase in criminal activity over time which necessitates an increase in police personnel in the parish, home to Negril, one of Jamaica’s most famous tourist destinations.
The Security Minister further decried the state of police stations across the western parish, stating that they have been “way below reasonable standard for police officers”.
“Many of them I described as ol’ busha houses somewhere in the middle of canefields, which were not appropriate for police officers and those who were there before have to take some responsibility for it,” he said.
Construction of the Frome and Little London stations are to cost about $200 and 175 million respectively under the Ministry’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul and Construct (P-ROC) initiative and are being funded by the National Housing Trust.
Minister Chang remains committed to transforming the Westmoreland police by providing them with well-designed, upgraded stations to better serve the people of the parish.
“We are investing in building appropriate infrastructure for the police in Westmoreland and across Jamaica,” the Minister said.
Completion of works at the Frome station is set for July 2024, while at the Little London station it is scheduled to end in the last quarter of 2024.
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