KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of National Security Robert Montague says the Opposition People’s National Party and its local government personnel have agreed to meet in an effort to forge partnerships and a consensus to tackle the island’s crime problem.

Montague indicated that a date for the meeting has not yet been set as he had “respectfully” asked for an earlier date when the PNP proposed February 3 during a quick exchange yesterday morning at the Electoral Commission’s launch of the registration for political parties

He said the PNP’s General Secretary Julian Robinson committed to discussing the matter internally to find an earlier date.

The minister, in a release this afternoon, said he remains hopeful that the earlier date can be found as “we all seek to collaborate to find solutions to the crime problem”.

Montague said he had requested the meeting on February 26 last year after he met with Robinson and then party chairman Robert Pickersgill.

The release added that the ministry had been in contact with the PNP Secretariat during the latter half of last year, trying to get the meeting off the ground.

“I believe the political network islandwide is the best intelligence network, and we have to leverage this to our advantage so it can redound to the benefit of all Jamaica,” expressed Montague.

A similar meeting was held with JLP local government representatives in July last year as the minister said he has been conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders including the church, private security companies, members of the private sector and private citizens.

“This crime problem is not just for the security forces to deal with. All law-abiding, well-thinking persons have to come on board and play their part in ensuring a safe and prosperous Jamaica,” said Montague as he urged people to download the Stay Alert app to anonymously report incidents of crime.