NCB, Super Plus support new crime plan
TWO private sector companies recently donated $200,000 cash and goods valued at $340,000 to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to support the social aspect of the new crime initiative that was announced by Prime Minister P J Patterson on December 1.
The money was handed over by National Commercial Bank (NCB), while Super Plus Food Stores donated basic food items and school materials.
The presentation was made at the head office of National Commercial Bank at Trafalgar Road in Kingston.
Jevene Bent, deputy commissioner of police, who accepted the donation on behalf of the JCF, said packages with food items valuing $1,000 each, would be donated to 3,680 households in the communities of Payne Land, McKoy Land, Denham Town and Hannah Town where curfews have been imposed.
At the same time, NCB’s managing director, Aubyn Hill said as a good corporate citizen, his organisation felt that it has an obligation to assist the communities. “It is our way of saying happy Christmas to the residents,” he added.
Wayne Chen, managing director of Super Plus Food Stores, endorsed the initiative by the police to cater to some basic needs of the residents. Pointing out that his organisation was aware of the difficulty of policing, he said, “where we see good work, we assist”.
Chen expressed hope that the residents in Payne Land and other communities would co-operate with the police, whom he said, are in the communities to assist and protect.
Describing the response of these business partners as “spontaneous and generous”, DCP Bent thanked them for supporting the JCF’s effort to reach out to the citizens of these troubled communities.
The packages will be presented to the residents on Christmas Eve.
Dr Peter Phillips, the security minister, in his address to the House recently, said as part of the overall strategy to reduce crime, an aggressive multi-agency approach was being taken to alleviate poverty, which has been identified as one of the main causes of crime.