JPs Urged to Volunteer to Conduct Household Damage Assessments

Justices of the Peace (JPs) across the island are being asked to volunteer to conduct Hurricane Melissa damage assessments.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Delroy Chuck, who made the call during the commissioning ceremony for JPs for Kingston on Thursday (Dec. 4), said that the Ministry has agreed to assist the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in evaluating damage to houses in the affected parishes.

“Over 120,000 houses were damaged…we want to be able to do a full assessment. We are asking all JPs to volunteer fully,” he said.

“JPs can go in pairs. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will assign them to communities; they can do assessments of 10 or 20 houses,” he suggested, noting that the information they collect will help to determine eligibility and the level of assistance to be provided to householders by the State.

Minister Chuck implored the JPs to come forward to help their fellow Jamaicans impacted by the hurricane.

“Your first duty as a JP is to be your brother’s keeper. Let this crisis that we are in not be wasted; let us use it to see how we can become more unselfish in what we do and whatever assistance (you can give), please see what you can do to help,” he urged.

A total of 80 JPs were commissioned during Thursday`s ceremony held at the Kingston Bookshop, downtown Kingston.

They are part of a batch of 141 officers being installed for the parishes of St. Mary, Kingston and St. Thomas over the period December 3 to 5.

The commissioning ceremony for St. Mary was held on December 3 in Port Maria and the function for St. Thomas will take place tomorrow (Dec. 5), at Whispering Bamboo Cove Resort in Morant Bay.

Minister Chuck commended the newly commissioned JPs and encouraged them to conduct their duties with integrity and to add value to the office.

“Let [your service] stand for the promotion of justice and peace within your families, within neighborhoods and the wider Jamaica. It is absolutely important that you ensure that this office of Justice of the Peace to which you now belong, you not only uphold it, you enhance it,” he charged them.