Residents and business operators in Spanish Town St Catherine are being assured that there will be a strong police presence to maintain calm and order.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips toured sections of Spanish Town in the St. Catherine North Division yesterday alongside divisional commander Superintendent Hopton Nicholson.

Acting ACP Phillips assured that the strong deployment of police personnel would continue and encouraged residents to cooperate with the police.

The assurance also comes amid high alert for the cops, as the threat level has been elevated to extreme.

The police High Command identified an elevated threat against the police due to the recent violence in the St. Catherine North Division.

The high command urged policemen and women to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

It said it fully supports the lawful actions of members to safeguard their lives and well-being.

Members of the public are being urged to refrain from interfering with police and other law enforcement personnel performing their lawful duties.

Additionally,  criminals operating in and around St. Catherine North are being encouraged to surrender peacefully when confronted by security forces.

The threat level advisory follows the fatal shooting of Othneil Lobban,   also known as “Thickman” an alleged top-tier member of the One Order gang.

Lobban was killed during an alleged confrontation with members of the security forces on Wednesday.

Police say intelligence assessments indicate that gang members and their supporters intend to retaliate violently posing a serious risk to the safety of law enforcement personnel both on and off duty.

The JCF says these retaliatory actions are also likely to include the mounting of roadblocks along key thoroughfares, disrupting the movement of the general public.

The primary areas of concern are Spanish Town and its environs, including Tawes Pen, Ellerslie Pen,  Spanish Town Bypass, Young Street, Cumberland Road, and Oxford Road, which are known to be readily accessible to the gang and their supporters.

The police say given Lobban’s extensive associations and the reach of the One Order gang’s network, divisions such as St. Andrew South,  Kingston East, and Kingston West are also at heightened risk.

Members of the security forces operating in these areas are being advised to exercise extreme caution and maintain constant vigilance.

To mitigate the risk, members of the security forces should adopt heightened situational awareness and adhere to enhanced safety protocols, especially when traveling or conducting operations in identified high-risk zones.

Increased patrols, tactical deployments, and robust coordination between divisions are essential to monitor and neutralize potential threats associated with this situation.