Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the deadly violence crippling sections of Spanish Town, St. Catherine is indeed a national emergency. Acknowledging that action must be taken by the government and law enforcement; he says it must be a communal effort. 

Speaking at a National Disaster Risk Management Council meeting on Wednesday, the Prime Minister deemed criminal activities as disasters that need to be managed. He focused more on how this situation is affecting the victims who are living in and traversing these areas. Prime Minister Holness continued his address by saying he hopes action will be taken before citizens begin taking matters into their own hands instead of leaving it to law enforcement. 

Holness adds that while citizens are seeing a need to protect themselves, the situation requires unison from the government and the Jamaican people.

“Even if it is not legally required, the government will not want to act without ensuring that there is public discourse and public understanding,” said Holness. Watch the full report:

Reporter: Nasika Alliman

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