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The Interim Report by the Public Defender on the incursion of the security forces into Tivoli Gardens and related matters has been delayed for over five months and is still not completed. After repeated missed deadlines for its tabling in Parliament, the Parliamentary Commission headed by the Speaker, the Hon. Michael Peart, met with the Public Defender, Mr. Earl Witter,...

The Jamaica Customs Department is looking to implement a new international Information Technology (IT) system to automate custom processes and compile accurate trade statistics. The programme, the Asycuda World Information System, is currently used in over 85 countries. Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reese, made the announcement at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Thank’, held on January 23. Major...

The Customs Department is reporting revenue collection of $92.61 billion for the period April to December 2012. The amount, while an increase of $9.37 billion or 11 per cent over the same period last year, was a shortfall of $1.15 billion or 1 per cent against the target of $93.77 billion. “We are one per cent behind our year-to-date target...

National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, says that in spite of achievements made last year, crime and corruption remains the main obstacles to rapid growth and development in Jamaica. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation’s (JEF) 31st annual business and workplace convention and expo, held at the Knutsford Court hotel in New Kingston on January 22, the...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) capacity to effectively investigate property theft using synthetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology has been boosted with the donation of equipment valued at approximately $1 million by telecommunications firm, Digicel. Some 50 kits, manufactured by British company, Selectamark Security Systems, under its SelectaDNA brand, were presented to Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington, during Tuesday’s (January 22) launch...

Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, has called on Jamaicans in that country to “stay on the right side of the law”. He made the call in light of the number of Jamaicans who are being deported back home, describing this as “not good for Jamaica”. The Ambassador was delivering the keynote address at an awards ceremony...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, has said the recently opened Montego Bay branch of the Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA) has been a tremendous success. “We opened it in November and by December, fully 25 per cent of the total renewals were done at that office,” he stated.  “What this has allowed is that it has reduced the processing...

The St. James Parish Council yesterday (January 18) handed over space in the Charles Gordon market to the Area One Police for the setting up of a police post. The approximately 264 square feet of space is part of a complete facility, which was built at a cost of approximately $3.2 million. Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the...

National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, says he is targeting a further reduction in all crimes for 2013. Jamaica recorded a seven per cent reduction in murders, shootings and other serious crimes in 2012, to register the lowest number of offences the country has seen since 2004. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on January...

National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, has announced that the South Camp Road Correctional Centre will be renovated to accommodate all inmates currently residing at Fort Augusta. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday (January 16), Mr. Bunting said that this will include both juvenile and adult inmates. He, however, noted that there will...

The Senate on Thursday, March 21, passed a Bill to prosecute persons involved in the illegal lottery scam. Some 14 amendments have been made and it will be sent back to the House for approval. The Bill Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act addresses, among other things: obtaining any property or inducing any person to confer any benefit on...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, has announced that the government is working to reconcile the databases of the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) and the island’s courts, to add all traffic tickets that have been paid on both systems. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston on Wednesday (January 16), Mr. Bunting said...