Jamaica Police Chief Says Security Will Be Increased In Crime-plagued Areas

KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 3, (CMC) – Police Commissioner, Dr. Carl Williams, says security will be stepped up in crime-plagued areas as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) fights the increase in crime and violence.

Williams made the revelation at an emergency press conference, called following the murder of two American missionaries.

“We are speaking with the military to get additional police and soldiers out in the field to do some additional operations and to ensure a wider presence to reduce opportunities for crime, especially violent crimes,” he said.

Meanwhile, detectives probing the killing of the American missionaries, 48-year-old Randy Hentzel and 53-year-old Harold Nichols, have still not ascertained how both men died.

“We have no indication as to what happened, but we have the autopsy scheduled for Tuesday”.

Nichols and Hentzel were part of the US-based TEAMS for Medical Missions and have been in Jamaica since 2002.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy, here  says US authorities are hoping for swift action.

Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy, Joshua Polacheck, told the Jamaica Observer that the US is willing, if called on, to assist in the investigation.

According to the police, both men disappeared, on Saturday, while on their way to meet colleagues in the community of Albion Mountain, where they were constructing a house for a family.

Residents later stumbled upon Hentzel’s body after 12:00 pm (local time) face down with his hands bound.

Nichols’ body was found on Sunday afternoon with his head bashed in.

Nichols was the official liaison for the missionary group in the parish, while Hentzel worked as a Bible teacher.