Work is underway to draft amendments to the Firearms Act that will ascribe executive authority to the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA). It is anticipated that the amended Firearms Act will be tabled during this Parliamentary year. This was outlined by National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, as he closed the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on...

For this fiscal year (2019/2020), some 60 police facilities are earmarked for renovation. To date, repairs have been effected to 17 facilities, of which Spring Hill and Trench Town are fully complete. This was disclosed by National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, as he closed the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 31. He noted...

National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says there has been a significant reduction in murders in the South Andrew Police Division since the imposition of the State of Public Emergency (SOE). The SOE was declared by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on July 7 to curtail the high level of crime plaguing communities in the Division, particularly...

The Senate, on Friday (July 26), approved a 90-day extension of the States of Public Emergency (SOEs) in St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover, until October 28, 2019. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who piloted the matter, noted that the enhanced security measures have been yielding positive outcomes...

On Tuesday, July 30, Jamaica will join other countries across the world to observe World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, under the theme ‘Human Trafficking: Call Your Government to Action’. Trafficking in persons has been identified in Jamaica, with cases of forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude in men, women and children. Jamaicans have also been victims of human...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, says while there is still more progress to be made, the law and order initiative, known as Operation Restore Paradise, has, so far, been largely successful. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ at the St. James Municipal Corporation on July 25, Mayor Davis said the mission going forward is to ensure sustainability, and...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr Horace Chang, says the Government is committed to putting strategies in place in order to protect the country against cyberthreats. He noted that the development and use of new technologies, e-services and interconnected networks over the last few decades have seen a rise in cyberattacks, as cybercriminals take advantage of these advancements to commit...

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the State of Public Emergency (SOE) in St. James. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (July 23), approved a 90-day extension of SOEs in St. James, Westmoreland, and Hanover until October 28, citing a reduction in murders and shootings in the parishes between April...

National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (right), greets Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longworth (left), at the UWI/Jamaica Defence Force Cybersecurity Workshop, held at the Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Up Park Camp, on July 23. Looking on is Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General, Rocky Meade.