Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the National Commission on Violence Prevention is developing a mid-term plan to address societal norms that appear to support the use of violence to settle disputes. “To that effect, the Commission has been tasked with identifying realistic and implementable recommendations for effecting positive and relevant behavioural changes at all levels in the...

Debate on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) (Amendment) Act, 2021 commonly called the anti-gang legislation, began in the Senate on Friday (June 11). The amendments specify additional offences for activities in which criminal organisations are engaged, increase the number of offences under the Act, expand the list of aggravating factors to be considered when sentencing an individual convicted...

Head of the St. James Police Division, Superintendent Vernon Ellis, says major crimes, with the exception of murders, are down in the parish. Superintendent Ellis was addressing the monthly meeting of the St. James Municipal Corporation, held in Montego Bay on Thursday (June 10). “We are seeing an increase in murders, but in every other category of major crimes in...

A student pilot of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) had to perform a precautionary landing in the Hill Run area of St Catherine today. The pilot was taken to Up Park Camp where a full evaluation was done and he is stable with no apparent physical injuries. He is being given the appropriate medical support. The initial investigation of the...

The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) (Amendment) Act, 2021, commonly called the Anti-Gang legislation, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 1), with four amendments. The legislation will provide additional support to the work of law enforcement in interrupting and undermining organised criminal activity. In closing the debate, Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang,...

Debate on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) (Amendment) Act, 2021, commonly called the anti-gang legislation, began in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 26). The legislation will provide an additional game-changing tool to the security forces in combatting criminal gangs. The report of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) to review the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations)...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) intends to train 1,000 new recruits this year and reach full capacity of 1,500 recruits in 2022 as the entity seeks to increase the number of law-enforcement personnel. He was making his contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 25....