Three Police Stations to be upgraded

Three police stations in Kingston and St. Catherine are slated to be to be upgraded by the Government this fiscal year, at a cost of $41 million.

The improvement works will be done under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) II, which is funded by the European Union (EU).

As contained in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the allocation will enable 80 per cent completion of renovation works in the Hunt’s Bay police station in Kingston, and the facility serving the Tivoli Gardens community, and the Spanish Town station in St. Catherine. It will also provide for the procurement of furniture and equipment for community rooms for four stations.

The project, which began in April 2009, is being implemented by the Ministry of National Security. It is intended to contribute to poverty alleviation through sustainable growth, with emphasis on the promotion of community safety, and the reduction of criminal behaviour in volatile and vulnerable communities. Emphasis is also being placed on strengthening parenting and youth groups.

Among the achievements to date are the strengthening of 30 parenting and youth groups; 200 youths/parents provided with skills training; and the renovation of five police stations within vulnerable and volatile communities in Kingston and St. Andrew.

Following a number of extensions, the programme is now scheduled to end in April 2014.

By Athaliah Reynolds-Baker, JIS Reporter