Clarendon cops probe murders

Investigators in Clarendon were kept busy in light of three murders recorded over a 72-hour period.

Sunday night saw the killing of a man identified as 35-year-old Stephano Frank, also known as 'Yellow', labourer of Hayes district.

Police reports state that about 7:15 p.m., Frank was standing outside his gate when a group of men travelling in a motor car opened fire on him.

Two men were also shot and killed in an early morning attack on Monday in the Birds Hill community of Chateau district.

It is reported that the men, 41-year-old Craig Smith, labourer of Chateau, and 61-year-old Bonito Williams, also known as 'Bunny', farmer, of a St Elizabeth address, were outside Smith's restaurant when they were attacked by armed men about 5:40 a.m.

Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of operations in the parish, Christopher Phillips, noted that: "We are just a few days into the new year and we have four murders already."

Asserting that the fight against crime is a community effort, he said: "We have to decide as a community that enough is enough. This fight against crime has to be like a movement in the community. Crime cannot flourish in a community that cares."

He said that the police are urging the support of residents as they attempt to restore normalcy across the parish.

"We are appealing to residents to give us the support, feel comfortable to come to us and talk to us. Clarendon is infested with guns and we need your support to go after some of these criminals who are determined to disrupt the peace," he said.

Phillips lauded the ongoing state of public emergency, stating that it has aided in the reduction of criminal activities.

He is also advising residents to develop neighbourhood watch initiatives in their communities in an effort to deter criminal activities.