More funding for initiative to reduce crime

KINGSTON — An allocation of $20 million has been set aside in the 2011/12 Estimates of Expenditure in support Government’s efforts in reducing the incidence of crime and violence in high risk and vulnerable inner city communities.

The initiative, which begins this month, falls under the Community Crime and Violence (Jamaica Crime Observatory) project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of National Security, through funding from the Japan Social Development Fund.   

In the initial stage of the programme, it is intended that an Integrated Crime and Violence Information System(ICIVS) database will be developed and implemented to capture data on crime and violence in five parishes, namely Kingston, St. Andrew, Clarendon, St. Catherine and St. James; and there will be a pilot intervention to target the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF’s) 12 inner city communities with the Basic Services Project.

The capacity of the Research and Evaluation Unit in the National Security Ministry is also to be strengthened through the provision of staff and training; financial and technical support is to be provided to all stakeholders; and furniture and equipment provided for stakeholders.

In addition, consultancy services are to be procured to develop crime and violence incidents statistics for each neighbourhood and community, as well as the corresponding geo-reference maps. Further, educational campaigns are to be conducted to foster peaceful co-existence among community members.   

The project is expected to span a three-year period, which ends in March, 2014.

By ALECIA SMITH, JIS Reporter