PM Says Increased Murders/Shootings Led to Extension of Emergency to St. Catherine

A significant increase in murders and shootings in the Spanish Town area during the first five months of the year led to the decision to extend the State of Emergency to St. Catherine, Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding has said.

The Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding

Mr. Golding told Parliament Tuesday (June 22) that 170 murders between January and May this year, compared to 112 over the similar period last year, and 168 shootings recorded over the same period, compared with 110 last year, influenced the Cabinet’s decision to support the extension advised by the security forces.
The Prime Minister said that the Cabinet took into consideration that the action would involve curtailment of the rights of the citizens, “and we believe that the operations must be carried out with respect for the human rights that Jamaicans are entitled to.”