Jamaican prime minister reveals his government is planning to introduce more stringent plans to combat crime in Jamaica.
Combatting crime in Jamaica
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says his administration will be implementing new legislation that will inflict harsher penalties on perpetrators of crime in Jamaica.
Administration concerned about crime
Holness, also leader of the ruling Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), made the statement on Sunday in addressing supporters at the party’s 74th annual conference at the National Arena in Kingston.
The Prime Minister acknowledged his administration is concerned about the crimewave that has led to the murder of 1400 persons so far, this year.
He told the crowd of supporters the recently implemented Zones of Special Operations in the communities of Mount Salem in the western parish of St. James and Denham Town in the Corporate Area, have been successful and disclosed the government is now focusing attention on 20 communities where the bulk of the violence occur.
Fighting crime with law and intelligence
“We hear the desperate cries for tough and extreme measures to deal with the criminals. Jamaica cannot go back to that, there are greater costs to Jamaica. We have to fight crime with law, with intelligence, with citizens cooperation by providing information and not giving in to criminals in your community,” the Prime Minister said.
New gun laws to be introduced
Meanwhile, National Security Minister Robert Montague who also addressed supporters said new gun laws will also be introduced to fight crime as security officials have found that guns are used in 84 percent of the crimes committed.
He said while it is anticipated that the legislation will be challenged by the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and other groups, he urged Jamaicans to back the government.
“When I bring that bill to Parliament, we are going to say that if you are charged with a gun crime – no bail. So far, this year 143 Jamaicans have been murdered by men who are on bail for other charges. We are going to put it in law that if you are caught with a gun or any gun crime, there will be mandatory minimum sentence that you know that when you get convicted you going to prison for 15-20 years.”
Since the start of the year 795 illegal guns and 21,000 rounds of ammunition have been seized by members of the security forces.
Montague also defended the administration’s efforts to implement an anti-crime plan.
“We all want a safer Jamaica. Of the seven categories of crime, murder and shootings are up, but robbery is down by 15 percent. Aggravated Larceny is down by 28 percent and rape is also down by 15 percent. We are doing the work but there is no overnight solution. There is no instant cure. There is no quick fix and this government is working … we have put a $1 million reward on every wanted man in Jamaica. So if you have any information on a wanted man – call crime stop and earn a million dollars for your Christmas,” he said.
