OCHO RIOS, St Ann — With disputes over land the major factor pushing murders up in St Ann, the police will go into communities with other professionals in an attempt to help residents find less violent ways to settle arguments.

Since the start of the year, the parish has recorded 22 murders, an additional eight when compared to the corresponding period last year. According to deputy superintendent of police in charge of crime in the parish, Linton Bailey, most of the murders were as a result of dispute over land ownership.

“We intend to analyse these situations and have the proper intervention. So you will see us coming out into the communities with lawyers and other legal professionals to speak with persons so as to see how best we can impact these activities,” said Bailey during the monthly sitting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation on Thursday.

The parish recorded its most recent murders on Wednesday night and another on Thursday morning in Ocho Rios.

Bailey noted that despite the increase in murders, however, there has been a decrease in major crimes overall.

“The hot spot areas are not the ones giving us the issues because they are well policed. Overall major crimes are down by 31 per cent since the commencement of the year. Break-ins are down by 30 per cent and robbery 19 per cent,” he said

He noted also that of the 22 murders committed, the police have “made significant progress”.

“So far, we have made 11 arrests in these murders,” said the lawman.

“The parish of St Ann remains a safe parish to do business, to live and grow our children,” he added.