Security Forces In Jamaica To Maintain Strong Presence In Western Parish After State Of Emergency

KINGSTON, Jamaica, January 31, 2019 (CMC) – Jamaica’s Information Minister, Ruel Reid, says the country’s security forces will maintain a strong presence in the western parish of St. James, when the State of Emergency (SOE) expires today.

“We are going to make sure there are numbers on the ground, in terms of security forces; we are going to use all the resources available,” said Reid, during a post-Cabinet press briefing, yesterday.

The SOE, was declared by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in January last year.

According to the Information Minister, more details will be revealed, during this year’s Budget Debate, “on our commitment to putting resources behind national security. It is going to receive the highest priority, in terms of funding”.

“I want to assure the nation that, notwithstanding limitations, we are going to work very hard to assure our citizens in St. James and Jamaica, that Jamaica is a safe country for all our citizens,” he added.

The SOE that was declared in sections of the central parish of St. Catherine, ended on January 2, while the SOE in sections of the Corporate Area terminated on January 7.