St Andrew South police aiming to make Maxfield Avenue communities ‘no-shooting, no-murder zone’ in 2026

Residents of Fitzgerald Avenue in the Maxfield area of St Andrew have been urged by lawmen to partner with the police in the coming year to help reduce violent crime.

Divisional Commander for St Andrew South, Senior Superintendent Damion Manderson, along with members of his community safety and security team, convened a community meeting on Tuesday night at the corner of Water Street and Fitzgerald Avenue.

The outreach formed part of the police’s ongoing community engagement and crime prevention strategy.

During the engagement, the police reviewed crime trends in the area over the past year and addressed concerns raised by residents, including issues related to public safety, youth engagement, and police response to crime.

The Fitzgerald Avenue community recorded at least two murders and several shooting incidents in 2025.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters.

Police told residents that they are aiming to make sections of the Maxfield area, including the Fitzgerald Avenue community, a “no-shooting and no-murder zone” in the coming year.

Residents were also informed that plaques will be issued by the police at the end of next year to communities deemed the safest.

Police stressed that this goal can only be achieved with the active cooperation of residents, including the sharing of information and the rejection of criminal activity.

Residents were assured that social gatherings enjoyed in neighbouring communities such as Greenwich Farm can be replicated in Fitzgerald Avenue.

The police also used the opportunity to call for several men who are wanted for questioning in connection with ongoing investigations to turn themselves in.

Those individuals were afforded the opportunity to spend Christmas Day with their families.

According to the police, the men have been given until 10:00 a.m. on Boxing Day, December 26, to report to the Hunts Bay Criminal Investigation Branch or the nearest police station.

Residents were encouraged to continue working closely with the police as the force intensifies efforts to reduce violence in surrounding areas.

The St Andrew South Police Division recorded the highest number of homicides in Jamaica as at December 20, with a total of 74 murders.

This, however, represents a 38 per cent reduction compared to 120 murders recorded around the same time last year.

- Andre Williams