SPECIAL POLICE UNIT IN AREA 2 RENEW PLEDGE TO BATTLE PRAEDIAL THEFT
A St Ann female farmer’s plea after she suffered millions of dollars in losses due to theft has led the JCF’s Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) to renew its resolve to crack down on farm thieves.
According to the police, a female farmer made a direct appeal to Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oral Pascoe, commanding officer of the APB, at a recent agricultural show in Area 2. That police region includes St Ann, St Mary and Portland.
“She shared her devastating losses of 2024, exceeding eighty cows, and costing her millions. This alarming account underscored the branch’s need for enhanced intervention and presence in the parish of St. Ann,” a police release said.
Commander Pascoe, members from APB headquarters and the Area 2 APB team led by Inspector Maurice McBean all made their way to the over 600-acre farm belonging to the female farmer.
The team met with stakeholders in the Claremont area of St Ann and discussed the critical need for special monitoring in the area, the initiatives that are in place to curb the farm-related crimes, and the avenues through which farmers can safely report these crimes.
Acting ACP Pascoe said, “We will be pursuing every case, and deny the criminals bail if needs be, as we must put a stop to this issue of praedial larceny and the larceny of cattle.”
The Area 2 APB promises intensified operations, including increased patrols, intelligence gathering, and closer monitoring and collaboration with community members to build trust in reporting. Farmers are urged to report all incidents of praedial larceny and farm theft to the nearest police station. Farmers reporting losses to the police should ask for an APB member, with assurance of confidential and swift action.
