Jamaica has declared states of public emergency (SOEs) in Clarendon and St Ann, as well as the Kingston Western police division, following a surge in criminal activities in these areas.
“The declaration of States of Public Emergency will allow the security forces to carry out targeted operations to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs and their networks and prevent the occurrence of serious crimes,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said.
A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister said Holness on the advice of the Commissioner of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, had indicated these SOEs will be for an initial period of 14 days, beginning at midnight on February 15.
“Organized gangs are the main source and cause of violence, leading to fear and terror in some communities. The Government must protect innocent citizens from these criminal gangs, and, therefore, must act,” Holness said.
In December, SOEs were reinstated in St Ann, Clarendon, St. Catherine and specified areas of Kingston and St Andrew to deal with the criminal activities in these areas.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, stressed that extreme criminality, as recorded in the specified areas, requires equally strong and decisive enforcement measures to protect law-abiding citizens.
“The government is committed to taking the actions necessary to protect its citizens. In free and democratic societies like Jamaica, focused short-term enforcement measures are justifiable to save lives. The use of the States of Public Emergency in these instances is a necessary and effective response to the high level of criminal violence within the identified areas,” he said.
Figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force for the period January 1 to February 12, show 20 people have been murdered in Kingstown West, as compared with 15 for the corresponding period last year, St. Ann 11 as against 9 and Clarendon 15 as against five last year.
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