KINGSTON, Jamaica– Law enforcement authorities have announced the arrest of 11 individuals suspected of being involved in extortion and violating the Road Traffic and Main Road Acts under Operation Streamline, which took place on Friday, December 8, 2023.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary McKenzie, who heads the Constabulary’s Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), issued a stern warning to extortionists, urging them to cease their illegal activities immediately.
Operation Streamline, launched in September, has a clear objective of ensuring the smooth operation of transportation hubs and public spaces in compliance with the law. Additionally, the operation aims to bring order to the public passenger vehicle (PPV) sector.
Assistant Commissioner McKenzie reiterated that a total of 44 arrests have been made so far on suspicion of extortion.
Emphasizing its importance, ACP McKenzie affirmed that Operation Streamline will remain in effect until 2024, demonstrating the steadfast commitment of the authorities to addressing this issue.
Negril police arrest man who turned up to make a report
NEGRIL, WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – In an unexpected turn of events, the local police in Negril apprehended a taxi operator on December 6, 2023, after he arrived at the station to file a report.
The individual in question, Damion Simpson, 28, a resident of Whitehall District in Negril, Westmoreland, was taken into custody as it was revealed that he was wanted by the authorities.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Shaunjae Mitchell stated that one of the officers recognized Simpson’s name while taking his report and promptly alerted his colleagues.
Upon consulting the Warrant List, the police discovered that Simpson had a staggering 28 outstanding warrants. Acting swiftly, the warrants were executed without delay. However, the startling revelation did not end there; upon further investigations, it was found that Simpson had an additional 53 outstanding warrants in Hanover, as well as six in St. James.
The following day, Simpson was brought before the Westmoreland Parish Court, where he entered a plea of guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of $130,000 for the outstanding warrants in that particular parish.
It is important to note that Simpson will face the appropriate legal proceedings in Hanover and St. James for the outstanding warrants in those respective areas.
Motorcyclist perished in Ballard’s Valley Main Road collision.
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica—An 18-year-old tragically lost his life in a devastating crash on the Ballard’s Valley main road in St. Elizabeth early Saturday morning, December 9, 2023.
The young man, identified as Jay Senior, a resident of Ballard’s Valley, succumbed to his injuries sustained in the accident.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. when Senior was riding a white Cobra motorcycle along the main road of Ballard’s Valley. Regrettably, he misjudged the distance between an oncoming Honda CRV and made a misguided attempt to overtake the car before him. This resulted in a violent collision with the Honda CRV.
The impact was severe, forcefully separating Senior from his motorcycle. Tragically, officials at the Mandeville Regional Hospital pronounced him dead upon arrival.
It is heart-wrenching to learn that Senior is the second member of a St. Elizabeth family to lose their life in a motorcycle accident within a week.
Reportedly, one of the motorcyclists involved in a collision on the Ballard’s Valley main road on December 1, which claimed the lives of Kimoy Hibbert, 24, a resident of Plowden district in Manchester, and Odane Swaby, 35, a resident of Ridge district in St. Elizabeth, was related to Senior. However, this information remains unconfirmed.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Jay Senior, as well as all those affected by these tragic accidents. May they find strength and support during this difficult time.