Members of the House of Representatives during its sitting yesterday (June 26) voted in favour of the resolution to extend the State of Public Emergency in St. Catherine North Police Division until August 2, 2018. Prime Minister Andrew Holness who brought the resolution to Parliament said the enhanced security measures in the St. Catherine North Police Division have, so far,...

The work of the Jamaica Crime Observatory –Integrated Crime and Violence Information System (JCO-ICVIS) is being strengthened through funding of $38,489, 000 from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). It will go towards improving the data collection, entry and validation processes of the primary entity – the Ministry of National Security, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Ministry...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Ministry will continue to enhance the technological capabilities of the police. He said plans are afoot to integrate mobile applications, closed-circuit television (CCTV) technology, geographic information system (GIS) and digital records into strategic operational responses in order to strengthen the capacity of the police to deal with modern crimes. He...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, is reporting that the operational activities associated with the enhanced security measures in sections of St. James, West Kingston and St. Catherine have resulted in significant crime reduction in those areas. The Minister was speaking in the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate on June 12. Dr....

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act is to be reviewed. The legislation, which was passed in 2017, is aimed at curbing crime through security-force occupation of vulnerable communities. It also aims to preserve human rights during the period of occupation. “We are coming up...

The Ministry of National Security, through the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) will be targeting boys aged eight to 15, in order to reduce the likelihood of these youngsters becoming involved in gang-related activities. “The programme (CSJP) will transition in 2019 with the Ministry retaining the responsibility for the centralised case-management framework,” said portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang,...

Residents of St. James are to be the first beneficiaries of an Integrated Social Intervention Strategy and Action Plan, as part of the Government’s crime-prevention strategy. This strategy will be pursued by the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. The CPTED strategy is to be developed during the 2018/19 financial year. Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr....