AN RJR/TVJ Public opinion poll revealed overwhelming public support for the State of Emergency.

Polls conducted by Ian Boxill and Associates showed that 37.7 per cent of persons polled were in support of extending the State of Emergency to cover the entire island while 26 per cent of those polled wanted the State of Emergency extended to other parishes.

Eighteen per cent of those polled did want any change while 15 per cent said they opposed the state of emergency.

On May 23 Prime Minster Bruce Golding declared a state of emergency after armed thugs shot and killed two police officers, wounded six others, torched police stations burning at least two to the ground as they attempted to prevent the security forces from arresting former Tivoli Gardens strongman, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

The attacks led to a three-day police/military assault on the fortified community which resulted in the deaths of 73 civilians and a Jamaica Defense Force soldier.

The polls claims to be the first to test voter reaction to the Prime Minister’s declaration in parliament on May 11, that he sanctioned the hiring of the American law firm Manatt Phelps and Phillips.

The poll canvassed public opinion on a number of issues including crime, the role of pastors in turning in wanted persons, campaign financing, the Coke extradition saga, the Manatt Phelps and Phillips affair, and the party standings among other crucial national issues.

Field work for the poll was conducted from July 17 to 21. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 per cent.

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