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Jamaica PM Declares State Of Emergency In Sections Of St. Catherine

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness (left), fields questions from journalists during a press conference at Jamaica House on Sunday (March 18), at which he declared a State of Public Emergency for the St. Catherine North Police Division, effective March 18. The enhanced security measure saw a joint Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)/Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) team deployed on Sunday to undertake engagements in the area. Also pictured (from 2nd left) are: National Security Minister, Robert Montague; Justice Minister, Delroy Chuck; and incoming Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson. Photo credit: Adrian Walker/JIS.

Jamaica PM Declares State Of Emergency In Sections Of St. Catherine

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 19, 2018 (CMC) – Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, yesterday, declared a State of Public Emergency in sections of the central parish of St. Catherine, in an effort to fight crime.

Holness, who made the announcement during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, declared that the State of Emergency was effective as of Sunday and will remain in place, initially for 13 days.

According to Holness, this was necessary in order to facilitate enhanced security measures in areas faced with high levels of criminality, which have threatened pubic order.

The Prime Minister added that under the enhanced measures, security forces will have the power to search, curtail business operating hours and detain persons without a warrant.

As a result, all persons using roads in and out of the area will be subject to being searched.

The area under curfew is the base for one of the most notorious gangs operating in the islands – the Clansman gang.

Also present at the press conference was Major General Antony Anderson, who takes office on Monday, as Police Commissioner, National Security Minister Robert Montague and Justice Minister Delroy Chuck.

Operating hours for businesses and other establishments in sections of the St. Catherine North Police Division, where the State of Public Emergency was declared, have been adjusted in keeping with stipulations under the enhanced security operation.

According to the Constabulary Communication Unit (CCU), the closing hours for all businesses in Spanish Town, Linstead and Bog Walk are now between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Businesses, entities and establishments that should close by 7:00 p.m. are: cook shops, dry goods establishments and haberdasheries; spirit license premises; service stations; clubs and fast food outlets; pharmacies; and churches. Community recreational areas should close by 6:00 p.m.

The police encourages persons to adhere to these conditions, to avoid being prosecuted for violations.

The specified boundaries within which the operation is being undertaken are:

  • North – from the intersection of the St Ann, Clarendon, and St Catherine parish boundaries towards Garfield Road, the Moneague leg of the North-South Highway and Guy’s Hill square.
    • East – along the St. Catherine parish boundary, to Sligoville, the intersection of Highway 2000, Lakes Pen Road, Port Henderson Road, Salt Pond Road and Hill Run main road.
    • South – from the Hartland main road to the Hill Run main road.
    • West – along the parish boundary to Ginger Ridge, Blue Hole, Marley Hill and Dover Road, to the intersection of the PJ Patterson Highway and the Hartland main road.

The CCU has indicated that the security forces will also be placing special focus on bus parks within the targeted communities.

The Prime Minister says he will address Parliament shortly on the measure.

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