KINGSTON, Jamaica –  Opposition spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith says the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supports moves by the Police in the Kingston Western Division to imposed curfews and other initiatives on minors.

In a statement issued today Smith said: I welcome the efforts of the Kingston Western Police Division to seek to bring incidents of crime and violence under control, through various initiatives, including the nightly curfew for minors.”

In his statement Smith made the point that curfews have been tried in many countries, cities and communities, globally, with the United States among the countries providing very good examples how effective they can be in reducing crime, when they are properly planned, implemented, maintained and communicated.

“The Opposition is anxious to see a return to a more peaceful and orderly West Kingston environment, with the police fully in control of law and order in the community,” Smith said.

Smith called on residents of the affected communities to fully support activities of the Police which are objectively aimed at restoring peace and order to the area, and especially law abiding parents to ensure that these initiatives are properly monitored and supervised.

However, the opposition indicated the JLP’s concern that the residents must be properly advised of the conditions of the curfew, including the hours of curfew and the sanctions for breaches and that every attempt is made to accommodate children who are unable to avoid being caught up the curfew from unnecessary harassment or detention and that those who need to be on streets after 9:00 pm are offered some form of reprieve.  

“There must be special provisions for immediately informing parents of children who may be detained and the conditions under which they are detained; youths must be allowed to produce identification to ascertain their age; and, teenagers who are involved in school, sports, employment or other activities which may detain them beyond the 9:00 pm deadline must be given special treatment.

‘The Opposition is willing to facilitate dialogue between the communities and the Police, to ensure that their rights are not breached during the exercise, and to give the police whatever assistance they may need to create an environment in which they can succeed with this initiative for the period of curfew and any further such initiative.”