Renovation of Block B at the Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre in Spanish Town, which was undertaken at a cost of $34.3 million, has provided an improved environment to support the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. The project, which got under way in July 2022 and was completed in March 2023, included replacement of the timber-framed roof with raised slab, electrical...

The police are reporting a 22 per cent decline in major crimes at the end of March 2023, when compared to the corresponding period last year. Addressing a virtual press conference on April 4, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, informed that murders were down by 21 per cent; shootings, 13 per cent; rapes, 47 per cent; robberies, 32...

A total of 658 charges have been laid against 353 persons for various offences under the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act. This was disclosed by Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, during a virtual press conference on April 4. “We continue to work closely with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to secure convictions...

Residents in the Seafort, Hellshire Park Estate and Fort Hill Estate communities in Portmore, St. Catherine, are now being served by Neighbourhood Watch groups to help ensure public safety. The groups were launched during a ceremony at the Hellshire Park shopping centre, on March 25. It was attended by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang; Commissioner of Police,...

Jamaicans are being called on to show a greater level of appreciation to the brave men and women who make up the nation’s police force. Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Zavia Mayne, in making the call said he knows first-hand “the incredible sacrifices that the members of our law-enforcement agencies make every day to keep...

Twenty-four persons have been granted Jamaican citizenship by the Government. They were presented with documents formalising their status by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), during a swearing-in ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St. Andrew, on March 27. Welcoming the 24 new Jamaican citizens, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PICA, Andrew Wynter, encouraged them to play their...

The Government has spent approximately $9.7 billion on capital investments in national security over the last eight years. Making his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives recently, Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, said that the sum is an increase over the approximately $3.2 billion spent over the eight-year period prior to 2016. “We...