“Long-Overdue Blessing!” – Anchovy Gets Brand New Police Station After Years in Post Office Shack

St James, Jamaica (McKoy’s News) – After years of operating from a cramped corner inside the local post office, the hard-working police personnel in Anchovy, St James, finally have a home of their own — and not just any home, but a state-of-the-art police station that law enforcement and residents alike are calling a blessing long overdue!

On Monday, the community turned out in numbers for the official opening of the new Anchovy Police Station, a development hailed by Sergeant Arlene McBean, chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, as a powerful moment in the history of modern policing.

“This is an excellent move,” said McBean. “To see our rank-and-file members now able to work in comfort while serving and protecting Jamaicans—this is truly amazing and a blessing.”

For years, Anchovy’s lawmen and women were forced to operate from substandard, unsafe conditions, after their original station was condemned. The temporary relocation to a section of the Anchovy Post Office was seen as a symbol of resilience, but also a call to action for the government.

“When we ask for meetings, there must be immediacy,” McBean stated firmly. “Don’t ignore the policemen and women who continue to serve this country under pressure. They deserve recognition, financial welfare, and proper conditions.”

Primitive & Embarrassing – Chang Blasts Old Facility

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang, who delivered the keynote address, did not hold back. He described the former conditions as “primitive” and “embarrassing,” even showing photos of the original building to hammer home the stark difference.

“To send police to sit in a post office? That takes a kind of thinking that was really primitive,” Chang said.

He emphasized that the new Anchovy Police Station is part of a broad national drive to modernize law enforcement facilities islandwide.

“We’ve completed 10 brand-new stations, refurbished 35 more, and invested over J$5 billion in infrastructure,” Chang declared. “It’s not just about buildings—it’s about creating the right environment for effective policing.”

Crime Falling in Western Jamaica

Dr. Chang also revealed impressive stats showing a major crime drop in western Jamaica, including a 40% reduction in homicides in Area One. Former hotspots like Norwood, Salt Spring, and Flankers are now seeing real improvements in safety and social life.

Civic Pride Needed

Sergeant McBean closed her remarks with a call to both officers and community members to take ownership of the new station:

“This facility belongs to all of us. Let’s protect it, maintain it, and ensure it remains a symbol of pride and progress in Anchovy.”

With the Anchovy Police Station now fully operational, it stands as a bold symbol of transformation, promising better policing and stronger community ties in southern St James.