Denham Town Zone of Special Operations Extended
By: , September 19, 2018The Key Point:
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, emphasises a point during his address in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 18).The Facts
- This follows approval by members of the House of Representatives during the sitting of the Lower House on Tuesday (September 18).
- With the extension, the anti-crime initiative, which was slated to end on October 2, will remain in place until January 2019.
The Full Story
The Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) in Denham Town, West Kingston, has been extended for another three months.
This follows approval by members of the House of Representatives during the sitting of the Lower House on Tuesday (September 18).
With the extension, the anti-crime initiative, which was slated to end on October 2, will remain in place until January 2019.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who put the motion forward, said that the extension will enable the transformation of the community through intensified social intervention, and security measures.
He said that failure to continue the initiative would disappoint the expectations of law-abiding citizens in the community, to the advantage of the criminals.
“Our resolve therefore, must be greater than the resolve of the criminals, and we must demonstrate the (determination) to take extraordinary measures… and we must show, as a collective, as a Parliament, that we have the stamina to sustain the measures that have been working,” Prime Minister Holness stated.
Giving an update on the initiatives being undertaken in the community, the Prime Minister told the House that the zinc removal project is almost complete.
“It has had great effect in uplifting the community. Significant work continues in the support for education, and during the summer period, several programmes were put in place, including summer camps, retreats and various activities to get our students ready for school,” he informed.
He further cited a programme where community organisations, including youth groups, can apply for grants to undertake capacity building, and the acquisition of equipment.
Mr. Holness said he recently signed off on a $184 million initiative, through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), to further infrastructure upgrade in the community, which will go to Cabinet shortly.
The House is expected to vote on a three-month extension of the State of public emergency in the St. Catherine North Police Division on September 19.