The Government remains committed to the ongoing implementation of measures aimed at creating safer environments in schools. Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the administration has invested “heavily” in developing and implementing security strategies to this end. These, he said, include training and deploying approximately 1,000 safety and security officers, with an additional 400 to...

Greater use of technology is being recommended to further reduce crime in Jamaica. This has been proposed by Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley. He contends that the level of sophistication to which crime has been elevated through the use of technology, justifies the police moving to adopt more innovative approaches to curtailing it. Dr. Wheatley...

A total of 120 body cameras are to be deployed in six police divisions across Kingston and St. Andrew, with the aim of building a strong and effective police force. The first areas to benefit include St. Andrew Central, St. Andrew South, Kingston Eastern, Kingston Central and the Motorised Patrol and Traffic Divisions. Over time, the body camera project, which...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting a 22.8 per cent reduction in six of the seven categories of serious and violent crimes committed between January and June 2016, compared to the corresponding period last year. Deputy Director General, Richard Lumsden, says these include aggravated assault, break-ins, larceny, rape, robbery, and shootings. Mr. Lumsden indicated that the number of...

The National Security Council (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is in the process of elaborating a strategic anti-crime action plan, involving an integrated and comprehensive set of measures and actions to significantly reduce crime in the country. The NSC, in the light of the urgency of the matter, has been meeting monthly, rather than quarterly as previously obtained,...

The Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom (UK) has signed a grant agreement with ‘Fight for Peace’ in Jamaica, valued at $20.7 million, to provide positive alternatives for inner city youth. ‘Fight For Peace’ is open to young people, aged seven to 29 years living in the communities targeted by the programme, Hannah Town, Denham Town, Trench...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is urging shoppers to take all the necessary steps to lessen the likelihood of being victims of robbery while conducting financial transactions during the ‘back-to-school’ period. Head of the JCF Corporate Communications Unit, Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, told JIS News that persons should avoid taking large sums of cash when conducting transactions. “Minimise the use of...