KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) in Denham Town, West Kingston, has been extended for another three months.

This follows approval by members of the House of Representatives during the sitting of the Lower House yesterday Tuesday, September 18.

With the extension, the anti-crime initiative, which was slated to end on October 2, will remain in place until January 2019.

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who put the motion forward, said that the extension will enable the transformation of the community through intensified social intervention, and security measures. He said that a failure to continue the initiative would disappoint the expectations of law-abiding citizens in the community, to the advantage of the criminals.

“Our resolve, therefore, must be greater than the resolve of the criminals, and we must demonstrate the (determination) to take extraordinary measures… and we must show, as a collective, as a Parliament, that we have the stamina to sustain the measures that have been working,” Holness stated.

Giving an update on the initiatives being undertaken in the community, the prime minister told the House that the zinc removal project is almost complete.

“It has had great effect in uplifting the community. Significant work continues in the support for education, and during the summer period, several programmes were put in place, including summer camps, retreats and various activities to get our students ready for school,” he said.

He cited a programme where community organisations, including youth groups, can apply for grants to undertake capacity building and the acquisition of equipment. The House is expected to vote on a three-month extension of the State of Public Emergency in the St Catherine North Police Division today, September 19.