The increase in violence and murders in Central Kingston has prompted the government to impose a 60-day Zone of Special Operations in the troubled community of Parade Garden. The Community has seen a 55 percent increase in murders compared to 2020, making the division the second-highest in murders.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness through the recommendations of Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, and Chief of Defense Staff, LT. Gen. Rocky Meade declared the Parade Garden a Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO), to operate for a period of sixty (60) days. Security forces moved in at dawn, hours before the Prime Minister’s Presser. This intervention is used as a community-building tool.
During the Press Conference, the Prime Minister said he wants the country to bear in mind that the initiative is a long-term strategy, when the security forces enter the communities the gangs disperse. However, he stresses that the operation “is more than a displacement strategy, sharing that it is a strategy to harden the area against the return and re-institutionalization of criminality in the community -we are building peace,” says Prime Minister Holness.
“We will continue to do all that we must to bring this level of violence under control…that responsibility we take seriously…the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) remain committed to showing respect for all, observing the rule of law, and remaining a force for good,” says the Commissioner of Police.
The boundaries for the Zone were highlighted by LT. Gen. Rocky Meade. He is urging the citizens to educate themselves on regulations and requirements governing the ZOSO and craved for their compliance and support.
A ZOSO is declared under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act.
Reporter: Jhanielle Powell
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