By Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

spanish town

Several residents of Top Jackson, Sligoville and surrounding communities in St. Catherine, once served by the Sligoville Police Station, are now demanding the reopening of the new facility which was handed over empty more than a month ago.

The residents claim that they have been without a police station for more than a year. They said with the rise in criminal activities such as rape, robberies and other heinous crimes, they said there is the need for the police to be fully operational in their area.

"We need for the police to be here that we can forge good relations with them to help ease the criminal activities in the area," remarked a resident.

New complex

The station forms part of the new Sligoville mini stadium complex, which has a post office and other facilities. However no water, light or furniture is on the new building that was recently handed over by the Chinese to the Jamaican Government.

When THE STAR checked with head of the St Catherine North Division, Superintendent Harry Daley, he acknowledged the inconvenience of the residents. He said the police continued to be on alert and is working from a radio car in the area.

He could not however address the issue as to when the station would become fully operational.

"I don't know when it will be in full operation, but my superiors will work out something," he said.

Despite this, the residents say they continue to suffer as when migrants criminal pass through the area, it takes the police a long time to respond and this can be changed if the station becomes operational.