60 Days Of Intensified Security For Parade Gardens

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says over the next 60 days, residents of Parade Gardens can look forward to further intensified security operations and increased community engagement by security personnel.

“The residents of Parade Gardens are tired of the violence. Their desire is to live free of fear, improve their social standing, and raise their children in a peaceful environment,” Dr. Chang said.

The Minister was speaking in the House of Representatives on January 18 on the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) in Parade Gardens.

The ZOSO was declared by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on January 9. The security measure will be in place for 60 days.

Dr Chang noted that the Government is implementing the measures required to restore peace and good order to the area.

He stressed that Zones of Special Operations do not end in 60 days, but that they are subject to Parliamentary review every 60 days to ensure that the work progresses as planned through to the hold and build phases.

“These periodic reviews facilitate transparency. It is the means by which the residents of Parade Gardens can hold the Government accountable for the requisite social investment and operational work to be carried out as planned,” he stated.

The Parade Gardens Community is one of 16 communities that fall within the downtown development area that has been prioritised for immediate intervention.

The National Security Minister noted that the level of violence in this community of approximately 3,000 residents is having significant impact on the state of being of the residents, children in particular.

“In the immediate district itself, they have lost 16 lives in 2021 at the hands of criminals. Parade Gardens is among the top-10 communities nationally, with the highest number of murders,” Dr. Chang said.

“This has raised the level of concern for the Government and the security forces, which saw it prudent to declare a Zone of Special Operations in the community,” he added.

Dr. Chang pointed out that the driving factor of crime is gang warfare, compounded by the possession of illegal firearms and the inability to resolve conflicts peacefully.

A baseline study of the community in June 2020 indicates that Parade Gardens shares the demographic characteristics associated with the most vulnerable and volatile communities in the country.

With just over half of its population (51.3 per cent) aged 30 and younger, the community is at high risk for violence.

“This, based on the fact that children, our boys in particular, are among the most vulnerable because they are targeted for gang recruitment. High levels of unemployment and low educational attainment have further stifled economic and social advancement of many residents,” Dr. Chang stated.

He noted that Parade Gardens has benefited from a number of social intervention programmes over the years, yet with little to show for it.

“Through the implementation of the clear-hold-build strategy of the ZOSO, we will provide the community with a respite from violence and create an environment for long-term development. The objective is to save lives, restore order and pursue transformative action,” Dr. Chang said.