KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, has called on the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to focus more attention on the crime of extortion which, he said, appears to be resurging nationwide.

In a statement today, Smith said his information is that this particular aspect of crime is on the rise and engulfing businesses across the island, especially small business owners including Chinese operators of wholesale and retail operations.

Smith said that, although the main area of activity is downtown Kingston, it is evident that it is rampant islandwide and could force closure of many small businesses, as well as discourage prospective investors from going into these areas of investment.

He observed, “This would be a serious setback for the economy, especially in a climate in which the government has been content to focus on austerity, and leave growth entirely to the private sector, I am calling on the police to immediately put in place the strategies necessary to thwart the growth of this scourge, which had been such a serious threat to investments in the past and which is re-emerging at a most inopportune time,” he added.

Smith said that the re-emergence of extortion on a wide scale in Jamaica is not only a criminal and social issue, but is also a serious economic issue as the country seeks to promote investments, employment and growth.