POLICE WILL SPEND the next two days destroying about 300 illegal guns.
The lawmen started the process this morning even as more reports surfaced about illegal guns in the hand of youth at a fete.
Acting Superintendent Ian Branch supervised the destruction of the weapons using a specialised machine at Central Police Station but took time out to deal with a recent threat that followed gun violence in Brittons Hill, St Michael.
“We are not taking it lightly. I will not disclose the steps we are taking but we are looking at it and we will continue to look at it and we are going to deal with it,” Branch said of the threat to disrupt Foreday Morning Jam.
A social media posting had claimed that bloodshed was coming in order to avenge the death of Rico “Brains” Reid, an apprentice jockey of Brittons Hill killed on June 8, shot in the head while waiting to board a fete aboard the Jolly Roger. Since then there have been two other shooting incidents in Brittons Hill.
“We are going to give it our full attention because safety is paramount and we want that for the activities this year that persons can be comfortable to come out and enjoy themselves,” Branch said.
Acting Assistant Superintendent David Welch called on promoters to play their part and search women entering fetes since they were assisting in smuggling the guns into venues.
“We know that women do assist in bringing these firearms into the fetes. I’m not going to hold back we know that for a fact. So we need persons to be aware of these trends and act accordingly,” Welch stated.
The destroyed weapons included rifles, pistol, shotguns and revolvers confiscated during police operations or turned into the Force by citizens. (AC)
