St Ann is now under a State of Emergency (SOE).
Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister this morning, December 6, naming St Ann as one of several parishes and police divisions now under SOEs.
The parishes are St. Ann, Clarendon, St. Catherine, specified areas in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover.
The Prime Minister said the SOE was declared to fight an increase in criminal activities and ensure public order.
The re-imposition of SOEs in various parishes, and the addition of St Ann to the list, comes a week after a previous SOE had ended November 29, following the Opposition PNP’s refusal to support the extension of the enhanced security measure.
Mr. Holness said that the Government, after careful consideration of the recommendations of the security chiefs, decided to advise the Governor General that it was necessary and appropriate to declare the SOEs.
“Since the end of the last SOE, we have seen, unfortunately, an increase in criminal activities in these areas and, indeed, a threat to property and in some instances public disorder,” he said.
He noted that the security measure is also aimed at protecting lives and property during the Christmas period.
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness announcing that States of Emergency has been declared in several parishes, including St Ann
