KINGSTON, Jamaica — The St James Parish Development Committee (PDC) says it endorses the newly renamed “enhanced security measures (ESM)” now in place in the parish since January 18.

“We congratulate the joint security forces on the professionalism displayed since the ESM and how they have conducted themselves in their interaction with the citizens of the parish,” said Chairman of the PDC, Dr Wangford Lewis.

Lewis said the committee was “pleased” that repair work “will commence at the Barnett Street facility soon to accommodate more police officers and make it more habitable for inmates to stay”.

“We are pleased that those 50 inmates from St James housed at the Tamarind Farm Prison, far away from their families, will return in good time so their families will be able to visit them.”

The PDC also said it endorses the five-pillar crime strategy outlined by the minister at the stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday.

Which outlines:

– Effective policing to restore trust in the Jamaica Constabulary Force

-Swift and Sure Justice – reduction in delay in having a case heard in court. Implementation of social activities to reduce crime eg employment of youths, better parenting support

-Reducing the opportunities for Crime in the communities. Expanding CCTV in the parish.

-Going forward to have better planned communities with relevant amenities such as garbage collection, proper road, water and electricity supplies and upgrading informal settlements

-Inmate Rehabilitation and redemption through the correctional services. We want to see the repeat offenders being reduce from 47 per cent in our prisons by putting inmates to production while in prison.

The St James Parish Development Committee, being a member of the Parish Crime Consultative Committee, said it stands ready to assist in whatever way we can to remove this scourge on our parish caused by crime and violence.