St Ann is again under a State of Public Emergency (SOEs).
The announcement of the re-imposition of the security enhancement measure was made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
St Ann was first included under SOE’s declared in eight parishes earlier this month, for two weeks. That SOE ended last week Tuesday, December 20, because the measure can only run 14 days without the approval of the Opposition.
The parishes and police division now under SOEs are:
St. Ann, Clarendon, St. Catherine, Kingston, St. Andrew, St. James, Westmoreland, and Hanover.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday morning, December 28 Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the Government, after carefully considering recommendations from the security chiefs, decided to notify the Governor-General that it was necessary and appropriate to declare the SOEs.
“While we have had reasonable success in controlling the number of murders leading up to and during the Christmas season, the threat levels for ongoing gang conflicts, contract killings, organised robberies of businesses, hijacking of goods in transit and various… scams that lead, ultimately, to the loss of lives, spreading of fear and depriving entire communities of their freedom to pursue their business and happiness… remain elevated and extensive in scale,” he said.
The Opposition and some rights groups continue to oppose the use of SOEs to address crime in the country.
C Hall -30-
Prime Minister Andrew Holness Wednesday morning announcing the States of Emergency
