PM Declares Mount Salem First Zone of Special Operations

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has declared Mount Salem in St. James as the first Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO).

Mr. Holness made the announcement at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday (Sept. 1).

Major Godrey Sterling of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Superintendent of Police, Kirk Ricketts are jointly in charge of operations in the Mount Salem special zone.

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeny has been named Deputy Chairman of the Social Intervention Committee, which is to be established within five working days.

Mr. Holness said the decision to declare Mount Salem as the first zone was based on police statistics, which show that the area is a major crime hotspot.

He said no community will be allowed to operate as a safe haven for criminals and “we will establish and restore public order, citizen security, and public safety. We will make Jamaica safe again.”