Police post opened in Irwin St James

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) — A new police post, built at a cost of J$12 million, was opened Wednesday (February 26), in The Meadows of Irwin, St James.

The Meadows of Irwin is a private housing development with approximately 800 housing solutions, being developed by West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON), in the Irwin area of Montego Bay.

A gift to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from WIHCON, the police post was presented by Chairman, Peter Melhado, to Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington; and Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting.

Melhado said that the facility can comfortably accommodate up to 14 police personnel.

“It is important to acknowledge that a substantial portion of the cost was underwritten by several of our key suppliers and tradesmen and women who wholeheartedly endorsed the concept of a public/private partnership and gave very generously in kind,” Melhado said.

He noted that provision of the facility is in keeping with the company’s mission statement:‘Building communities, Building a nation’.

In his address, Bunting said there has been some security challenges in the parish of St James, and outlined several of the initiatives implemented by the Government to overcome those problems.

He underscored the importance of public/private partnerships in fighting crime, and welcomed the donation by WIHCON, describing it as a significant contribution from the private sector.

The Police Commissioner also commended the partners who came together to build the facility.

“I am indebted to the Minister for swift approval of the partnership. I am indebted to WIHCON, its directors, managers and the staff who worked to construct this facility in such quick time, and also to the citizens of the Meadows of Irwin for their patience,” he said.

Ellington said that the JCF will not always have the resources to build facilities where and when required while suggesting that the idea of public/private partnerships in the construction of police posts is a novel one, which should be exploited.

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