POINT, Hanover — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck wants to change Hanover’s status as the parish with the fewest number of justices of the peace (JPs) and has appealed to upstanding residents of the parish to take on the role.

“I am going to admit that we need more JPs in Hanover… especially in the villages,” Chuck said while addressing a JP Sensitisation Session held at the Grand Palladium Resort in Point, Hanover, on Wednesday.

“If you know of good pastors, teachers, businessmen… outstanding people of integrity, please recommend them to the custos,” added Chuck.

While not downplaying the minister’s call, Custos of Hanover Dr David Stair argued that the size of Hanover, the island’s second smallest parish, may have something to do with the number of JPs.

During his address Chuck also called for more justices of the peace (JP) associations to be created across the country.

“We Jamaicans seem to be constantly at war with one another. We constantly promote indiscipline, and disorder, and participate in matters to tear down Jamaica rather than to build up Jamaica. Justices of the peace, this is where we must all pull together and ask how much more we can do as a body to assist our communities and Jamaica. And that is why we have decided to urge every parish to have a JP association,” the minister explained.

Chuck, who also called on JPs to do more as he underscored that these associations are not just talk shops, but avenues which can generate “innovative, creative ways” to heal some of the problems across Jamaica.

He pointed to ongoing efforts to address the problem of crime and violence as one area in which JPs can provide support.

“Everybody says, ‘What is the Government doing about it? What is the police doing about it?’ But it is our problem too; and, in our small way, we have to see and ask how much more can we do?” said Chuck.

“I am urging you, let’s work together in the JP association. Think about some of the problems you have here in Hanover and across the country and see in what small ways we can participate to resolve some of these problems,” the minister appealed.

Wednesday’s sensitisation session was part of the justice ministry’s continued efforts to strengthen JPs’ capacity and sensitise the executive members of JP associations on policies and procedures that will broaden their scope of service delivery.

Presentations were made by representatives of the Child Diversion Branch, National Land Agency, Registrar General’s Department and the Administrator General’s Department.

The custos, who expressed his gratitude to the minister and the various agencies for the visit, said the event was an opportunity for JPs to be updated on relevant and accurate information that they can then pass on to their communities.