Jamaica: States of emergency declared in several parishes

CMC – States of Public Emergency (SOE) have been declared in the western parishes of Hanover and St. James as well as the central parishes of St. Catherine and Clarendon.

Two weeks ago, an SOE was declared for St. James following the murders of two schoolboys in a gun attack that claimed the lives of three people.

A release from the Office of the Prime Minister said the crucial decision for the SOEs, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday, underscores the government’s commitment to the safety and security of Jamaicans.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen authorised the SOEs upon the advice of the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff.

The SOEs will initially last for 14 days, commencing at 12:01 on November 23, 2023.

Major General Antony Anderson, Commissioner of Police, outlined the alarming situation in these divisions:

“The Clarendon Police Division recorded the fifth-highest number of murders (99) among all police divisions, marking a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022. Clarendon and St. Catherine, being adjoining parishes, intensify our concerns, accounting for 24 per cent of the nation’s murders since the beginning of the year.”

“In the St. James police division, the highest number of murders across all divisions was recorded, totalling 169 from January 1 to November 15, 2023. This division also experienced the highest number of shooting incidents, totalling 101 during the same period.”

“The adjacency of St. James and Hanover further exacerbates the situation, with their combined geographical area accounting for 20 per cent of the nation’s murders since the year’s start,” Anderson said.

Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), expressed firm support for the declaration. “The JDF is dedicated to working alongside the JCF to stabilize these parishes,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Horace Chang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, urged the public to perceive these measures as a united stand against crime.

“We call on citizens nationwide to back these efforts. Together, as a nation, we can triumph over these criminal elements,” he emphasised.

Holness stressed the vital role of community cooperation in cauterising crime.

“The cooperation of every Jamaican is essential. We must unite to ensure our nation’s safety. These measures are temporary but critical in augmenting the efforts of our security forces, which have yielded significant results. The government continues to invest in enhancing our nation’s security infrastructure,” he stated.

“The SOEs enable the security forces, including the JDF, to conduct targeted operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and curbing murders. The government assures the public that the safety and security of all Jamaicans remain its highest priority.”

The boundaries for the SOEs encompass the entire parishes of Hanover, St. James, St. Catherine, and Clarendon.

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