Jamaica to introduce ticketing system for public-order offences
Key Points(5)
- tem, developed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force in partnership with the Ministry of National Security and Peace, will support the administration of fixed-penalty offences and enforcement of the Noise Abatement Act, illegal vending regulations and other public-order offences.
- Deputy Prime Minister and National Security and Peace Minister Horace Chang announced the system during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
- Chang said the system would allow officers or other authorised entities to issue tickets for offences rather than immediately resorting to measures such as confiscating equipment or making arrests.
- “It will be done in a manner that is civilised, non-contentious and in keeping with 21st century operations,” Chang said.
- He gave the example of illegal vending, saying police should not have to become involved in confrontations with vendors over the seizure of their goods.
Jamaica is set to introduce a new ticketing system for certain public-order offences, with the government saying it will reduce unnecessary confrontations between police officers and people who breach the law.
The Ticket Information Management System, developed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force in partnership with the Ministry of National Security and Peace, will support the administration of fixed-penalty offences and enforcement of the Noise Abatement Act, illegal vending regulations and other public-order offences.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Security and Peace Minister Horace Chang announced the system during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Chang said the system would allow officers or other authorised entities to issue tickets for offences rather than immediately resorting to measures such as confiscating equipment or making arrests.
“It will be done in a manner that is civilised, non-contentious and in keeping with 21st century operations,” Chang said.
He gave the example of illegal vending, saying police should not have to become involved in confrontations with vendors over the seizure of their goods.
“We know it’s inappropriate for them to be vending in the wrong place… but a contest with the police is not the way to resolve it,” he said.
Under the proposed approach, a person could be issued a ticket for an offence such as illegal vending or excessive noise and face further consequences if the penalty is not paid.
Chang also suggested that municipal corporations could issue some tickets, reducing the need for highly trained police officers to spend time enforcing minor public-order offences.
The minister said the system is part of a broader effort to improve interactions between the police and the public as Jamaica sees a decline in murders and other serious crimes.
“We must ensure that the way in which the Police engage citizens is professional, proportionate and respectful. We want effective enforcement while maintaining a strong relationship between the police and the public,” he said.
Chang said improvements in public security should also support economic development, business confidence and quality of life.
“The peace dividend must become a development dividend,” he said, arguing that progress in reducing violence should translate into greater opportunities and prosperity.
He said the government would continue investing in the security forces and implementing policies aimed at consolidating recent security gains.
“We will not yield any ground to criminals in this country,” Chang said. “We must ensure that the reduction in violence becomes a permanent feature of our national life.”
The government has also said it wants to foster a broader culture of peace in which citizens respect the rule of law and view the police as partners in maintaining safer communities.
