To:
The Commissioner of Police
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)
The Area Commander
The Commanding Officer – Clarendon Division

Subject: Community Concerns Regarding Policing in Northern Clarendon

We, the undersigned residents, business owners, event organisers, and stakeholders of Northern Clarendon, write this letter out of concern for the current relationship between our communities and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

First, we wish to acknowledge the difficult and dangerous job that police officers perform daily. We recognize the importance of law enforcement and appreciate officers who serve with professionalism and integrity. We want safe communities just as much as the JCF does.

However, many residents have become increasingly frustrated by what we perceive to be an imbalance in policing priorities. There is a growing feeling that significant attention is being placed on ordinary citizens, community events, and law-abiding organisers, while many residents believe that more visible effort should be directed toward identifying and apprehending those responsible for serious criminal activity.

This perception is damaging trust between the police and the people they are sworn to serve.

Northern Clarendon has always been known for strong community events that bring families together, support local businesses, and provide safe entertainment. Recently, however, many residents have expressed concern that the atmosphere surrounding these events has changed.

One resident stated:

“In all my years, this has never happened in Crofts Hill, Clarendon. No community event can be fruitful under this bondage.”

Another simply said:

“We feel like criminals in our own place.”

Whether everyone agrees with these statements or not, they reflect a genuine feeling shared by many members of the community, and those feelings deserve to be heard rather than dismissed.

Therefore, we respectfully request:

1. A public town hall meeting between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the residents of Northern Clarendon.
2. Greater transparency regarding policing strategies affecting our communities.
3. Improved communication with residents before and during operations that significantly impact community events.
4. A balanced policing approach that continues to enforce the law while strengthening efforts against violent criminals and organized criminal activity.
5. A renewed commitment to community policing, where residents and police work together instead of feeling divided.

Our goal is not confrontation.

Our goal is partnership.

We believe policing is most effective when communities trust the officers who serve them, and when officers trust the communities they protect.

Northern Clarendon deserves that relationship.

We therefore invite the leadership of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to meet with us, hear our concerns directly, answer our questions, and work alongside us to strengthen public safety while preserving the dignity of law-abiding citizens.

Respectfully,

The Residents and Stakeholders of Northern Clarendon