St. Mary JPs to Adopt Westmoreland Community

Justices of the Peace (JPs) in St. Mary will be adopting a community in Westmoreland  to provide long-term support to the residents.

Westmoreland is among the parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the island on October 28.

The announcement was made by Custos of St. Mary, Hon. Errol Johnson, during a commissioning ceremony for 27 new JPs for the parish in Port Maria on December 3.

“We have decided…that rather than going down and taking pictures and distributing packages, we have made contact with the relevant authorities in Westmoreland, and we are going to adopt a community that is badly affected,” the Custos said.

The community, which has already been selected, is home to approximately 150 residents, which is about 50 families.

Custos Johnson informed that an initial visit will be made to the area, noting that the JPs will maintain a presence “until comfort is restored to this community”.

He told the JPs that from time to time, they may be called upon to assist the initiative by making relevant donations or by volunteering specific services  to help rebuild or repair homes.

Custos Johnson said that the road to recovery is a “long haul” and could take up to three to four years, which, he noted “is a long time in the life of people who are suffering.”

Other initiatives taken by the St. Mary JPs include assisting the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in identifying residents most in need of assistance in the aftermath of Melissa.