'Police, citizens must bond' - Monsignor Richard Albert condemns murders in 2007
published:
Thursday | January 3, 2008
Glenroy Sinclair
Assignment Coordinator
Criminal elements were relentless last year, killing 231 more persons than those murdered the previous year.
According to police records, at least 1,571 were slain in 2007, while, in 2006, the figure was 1,340.
A significant number of the victims were killed from July to December. Among the victims were 20 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and scores of women, children and infants.
Gun still weapon of choice
Police statistics indicated that the killings were concentrated in the Corporate Area, Clarendon, St. James and St. Catherine, with the gun being the weapon of choice, in the majority of the murders.
"We cannot have another year like this. If we are going to clear up this problem of crime, there must be some bonding between the police and citizens," Monsignor Richard Albert told The Gleaner, yesterday.
The Roman Catholic priest stressed that, for this to happen, politicians must lead the country into unity.
Speaking yesterday at the annual 'Heal the Family, Heal the Nation' Church conference, held at the National Arena, Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair said Jesus was the answer to Jamaica's political issues and the problem of crime and violence.
The Rev. Dr. V.T. Williams said what was being manifested in Jamaica were evil spirits. He called on Christians to play their role and help cast out those spirits.
Also speaking at the conference was the Rev. Karl Johnson, who called on the Church to be united and present a model for the society to follow.
