The House of Representatives on Tuesday gave approval for the extension of the seven Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) by 180 days instead of the customary 60 days.

This marks the first time the security measure was being extended for six months instead of the usual two months.

National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, moved the resolution to extend the ZOSOs during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The seven zones are located in Denham Town, West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem in St James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St Andrew; and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland.

Their extension by 180 days came about following an amendment to the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act 2017. The amendment, which was long in coming, took effect in November.

Chang noted that “Based on the amendment, the requirements to seek an extension of the zone every 60 days has been increased to 180 days so we (lawmakers) will no longer have to come [to the Parliament] so frequently [to seek the extension]”.

The security minister said the amendment “signals to the people of Jamaica that the Government and the Parliament continue to be innovative in pursuing efficiency in conducting the people’s business as far as it relates to crime prevention in particular”.

He told his fellow lawmakers that the work within the seven zones has transformed the communities in which they are located, while restoring a sense of dignity to the residents. Chang said the documented successes of the zones relate to more than infrastructural transformation as is evident in the human capital development.

“We see a greater emphasis taking place on the behavourial and development changes in the lives of the beneficiaries in the designated zones,” said Chang.

He also pointed out that “significant work was done by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (and) the Ministry of Education and we’re moving into the psycho-social area rapidly”

Chang explained that greater focus is being placed on case management and psycho-social support services as well as the mental and emotional well-being of citizens in these areas, which he said is seen as “critical for crime reduction and diversion of our young people along a productive and creative pathway”.

The security minister pointed out that the first child adolescent, counselling and family services unit has been established in St James and 46 psychiatric aides have been trained and already working in the field.

These aides are able to identify individuals with emotional stress and strain early, and therefore able to get them to the required professional counselling to prevent them from resorting to violence at any time or any other dysfunctional behavior Chang said.