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Sectoral databases for crime and child protection are to be developed during the next year, as part of the institutionalisation of the DevInfo project, which is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). According to the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, an additional $12 million has been allocated for the project to continue to establish JamStats as a reliable...

Like many parents, Miss Andrea Bryan would always worry about the safety of her nine-year old daughter Katherine, when she was not at home. "She is very involved in after school activities such as gymnastics, and activities at church. She also goes on a lot of field trips. We can't be here all the time to protect her," she says....

The engineering consultant hired to inspect the National Stadium has concluded that the facility "is as safe as it was built". The consultant, Hue Lyew Chin Engineering Ltd, was hired in the wake a quote attributed to the Mayor of Kingston in one of the daily newspaper that the National Stadium was "a death trap". Hue Lyew Chin Engineering Ltd,...

The Poverty Reduction - Capacity Building and Training for Communities programme, which is being executed by the Ministry of National Security, will be spending $62.5 million on phase two works in 2010/11. The funds will be spent on the implementation of capacity building projects, which are geared to youth development, parenting education and community violence prevention. These include vocational skills...

The Government's efforts to fight crime and create safer and more peaceful communities through the Jamaica Violence Prevention and Sustainable Development Programme, has been strengthened with a $124.4 million allocation in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. The money will go towards the development of crime prevention and community safety strategies, and a safe arms...

The Government will be intensifying its efforts this year to fight crime and violence with the introduction of new pieces of legislation to strengthen initiatives and place pressure on criminal networks. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, highlighted this today (March 25) as he delivered the Throne Speech in Gordon House outlining the Government's thrust for the...

The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) is continuing to empower youths from inner-city communities through the use of technology to help them improve their skills and interpersonal relationships. This time it is through the use of the Autoskills computer software, the acquisition of which was funded through partnership with the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation. The JNBS Foundation purchased the...

As the Government moves to provide greater protection for the nation's children, a model is to be put in place to improve the way child sexual abuse cases are handled. Coming out of the 2008 Child Protection Audit, a more integrated approach to the investigation of child abuse cases will be undertaken to reduce the gap between the reporting of...

The Police have decided to deny permission for school marches, during the week of Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships (CHAMPS). In addition, the Police will not be granting permission for the staging of any pre or post CHAMPS fetes or parties during the same period. These and other announcements were made Thursday morning(March 18) by Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police...

The Senate, on Friday (March 12), approved amendments to the Terrorism Prevention Act, paving the way for the passage of regulations and to impose heavier penalties for breaches. "Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, in May 2009, committed to have the Terrorism Prevention (Reporting Entities) Regulation in force by the end of the financial year," said...

Superintendent Anthony James Forbes, of the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), has been named as the Force's Diaspora Liaison Officer. Jamaica's Acting Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, made the announcement at a Community Town Hall meeting on Tuesday (March. 8), at the Lauderhill City Commission in Florida. Supt. Forbes will also oversee Community Safety...

Jamaica's Acting Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, has pledged to continue the challenging task of providing a safe environment for Jamaicans. Speaking to nearly 200 Jamaican nationals and friends of the Diaspora, at a Community Town Hall meeting at the Lauderhill City Commission, Lauderhill, South Florida, Mr. Ellington said that the security of the country is the responsibility of honest...