THE State of Public Emergency (SOE) declared in the parishes of St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland, is not expected to affect Reggae Sumfest, according to principal Josef Bogdanovich.

Reggae Sumfest is set for July 14-20 in Montego Bay, St James.

He is confident that, just as last year when similar crime-fighting measures were in place for St James and the festival was not affected, the same should occur this year.

On Tuesday, government widened the dragnet to include two neighbouring parishes which have also seen an upswing in criminal activity.

Bogdanovich said his plans are moving full steam ahead.

“I have all faith that the mayor of Montego Bay, the police high command, and all concerned will do a great job to contain the criminal activity and this will have very little effect on what we are doing. A similar thing was in place last year and it went very well. We were able to stage Reggae Sumfest without any incident and that was pleasing. So the truth is, I really have no concern at all that this will have any effect whatsoever on our event,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“I understand what it means. But, I also understand how serious this crime thing is and the fact that we need to do everything possible to get it under control. A measure like this which increases the security presence in Montego Bay, can only work to make everybody feel more secure. It is really a win-win situation for everybody,” Bogdanovich continued.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the new strategy, noting that the decision was based on a request by the security forces. Since the start of 2019, Westmoreland has recorded the most murders in Jamaica with 29, followed by St James with 27. Hanover is in fourth with 18 murders.

The SOE will be in effect for the next 14 days on a proclamation by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. If necessary, it will be extended for up to three months by a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Parliament.

Bogdanovich is concerned negative publicity can be devastating to the festival he assumed control of three years ago.

“That’s why I have to endorse this 100 per cent. Last year we came through great and so we have to do whatever it takes to uplift the city and spread peace and love just like Reggae Sumfest,” he said.

Meanwhile, tickets for the July 19 and 20 performance nights are going fast, Bogdanovich disclosed. With 11 weeks to go before the event, he said they have sold more tickets that at similar periods in the past.

“We have sold substantially more tickets at this stage that at the corresponding period at any time in the past. Given Reggae Sumfest’s track record that is pretty hard to beat, so it is impressive at this stage. Our awesome line-up has a lot to do with that. Buju (Banton) has a lot to do with it, Chronixx has a lot to do with it and we are just looking to see how it all goes down.”

In addition to Buju Banton and Chronixx, the line-up includes Beres Hammond, Spice, Dexta Daps, Agent Sasco, Spragga, Elephant Man, Munga, Govanna, Dovey Magnum, Chronic Law, Jah9, Protoje, Tarrus Riley and Christopher Martin.

Night one will feature a special ‘tune-fi-tune’ segment between dancehall kingpins Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.