Chang could seek another SOE in St James
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica —
Security Minister Dr Horace Chang is not ruling out another State of Emergency (SOE) in St James due to the level of gun violence that has been reported in the parish.
The SOE that has been in effect in the parish since last year, comes to an end today after the Opposition People’s National Party refused to vote for a further continuation last year.
“We are confident in the leadership of the team there and we will monitor to proceed because If the situation arises and we have to go back to parliament I’m sure the Prime Minister (Andrew Holness) will do so.If we have to go back to the SOE we will do it but at this point, we accept the position that has been taken by parliament with the opposition involvement,” Dr Chang told reporters yesterday at National Police College of Jamaica in St Catherine, following the Passing Out Parade and Awards Ceremony for batch 119.
Admitting that the residents are apprehensive about the discontinuation of the SOE, Dr Chang reiterated that the joint force will remain in the parish.
The anti-crime measure is being touted as a success in the wake of an over 70 per cent decline in murders in the parish since its implementation January 18, 2018.
Racquel Porter
