Jamaica Declares “State Of Public Emergency” In Seven Police Divisions

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness declares State of Public Emergency (SOEs) in seven police divisions islandwide to curtail upsurges in violent crimes.

Holness made the announcement on Sunday (November 14), indicating that SOEs have been declared in St. Andrew South, Kingston West, Kingston Central, and Kingston East in the Corporate Area, and St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland.

The decision was brought about by the increase in the record of violent crimes, ranging from 16 to 57 per cent.

“We have decided to recommend the declaration of SOEs having regard to the increase in murders, compared year on year, both in the communities in which we have declared them and nationally. These increases we consider to be of an extensive scale such that they threaten public safety, both in the communities in which the SOEs have been declared and nationally.”

Holness stated that the murder rates in these divisions range from a low of approximately 47 per 100,000 to a high of 190 per 100,000.

“SOEs have also been declared because of the nature and frequency of violence surrounding the murders and other crimes, which has evolved to a level of barbarity, [and] a level of savagery, [such that] it is almost [like] a competition for cruelty.”

In addition, Police Commissioner Antony Anderson said the imposition of the states of public emergency is designed to reduce violence in the communities as quickly as possible and reduce fear.

“As of Friday (November 12), there were 1,240 victims of murder, 392 of those were killed across the four divisions in Kingston and St. Andrew which represent 32 per cent of the national figure. Of the 1,100 persons shot but who were not killed, that region accounted for 391 of the victims or 36 per cent of the national figure. In the parishes of St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover, there have been 272 victims of murder which represent 22 per cent of the national figure, while 214 were shot and injured, also representing 22 per cent of the national figure.”

General Anderson noted that other security measures will continue across the island.

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Rocky Meade said the spike in violent crimes has proven to be well beyond the sphere of normal routine policing.

He likewise encouraged citizens to provide information that can assist the security forces by calling 311 or 876-837-8888.

Jamaica’s homicide rate remains within the top five countries in the world.