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With scores of detainees regaining their freedom following the end of the State of Emergency (SoE), two former senior police officials have warned that the country faces an increased risk of gang reprisals and renewed violence.
The SoE ended last night, triggering the release of 117 people held under Preventive Detention Orders (PDO). Guardian Media was told that 151 PDOs were executed, while 50 were not because the suspects had “gone underground”. Of the 36 people against whom police have evidence, 16 have already been charged but are yet to appear before a court, and another 20 are expected to be charged now that their detention orders have been revoked. The offences include firearm-related crimes, gang activity and motor vehicle larceny.
Former police commissioner Gary Griffith said the situation mirrors what occurred when the SoE ended in 2011, when there was a massive reduction in crime.
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