Jamaicans Urged to Partner with Government in Fight Against Crime

Justice Minister Hon. Delroy Chuck, is urging all law abiding Jamaicans to join with the Government in the fight against crime and violence.

“With every breath in me, I am going to make sure that Jamaica becomes a safe place once again. We deserve it and we must and will have it,” Mr. Chuck stated.

He was speaking at a Justices of the Peace (JPs) Sensitisation Session held at Beadle Hall, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth on Thursday (June 15).

Minister Chuck also mentioned the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, 2017, which is now before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.

He said the Committee will seek to complete its work on the legislation, within the next two weeks.

“This government is determined that when the Special Zones Act is passed, the security forces will put the gunmen on the defensive and on the run and they won’t have anywhere to hide because we are going to… search communities, find the guns and allow law abiding citizens to live in peace and safety,” Minister Chuck stated.

Meanwhile, the Justice Minister urged the JPs to join in the fight against crime as “we are determined that the new legislation and all the crime fighting measures that we will put in place, will put people in safe communities, as we chase out the gun men and keep them on the run.”

The legislation will give members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force essential powers, which the Government believes are necessary in addressing serious crimes, while upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.