A State of Public Emergency, (SOE) has been declared in the St. Andrew South Police division and sections of the St. Andrew Central Police division.
This declaration follows a significant increase in violent criminal activities within these areas, particularly in communities such as Maxfield Avenue, Waterhouse and Waltham Park Road, where 5 people were shot and killed last Monday.
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister says these locations have been identified as hotspots for gang-related warfare which poses public safety risks to residents as well as commuters and bystanders given their use as public thoroughfares.
It says the assessment indicates that the current level of violence and criminal activity in these communities is extensive and exceeds the capacity of standard policing measures to effectively stabilize the affected communities and restore public order.
The OPM says under a State of Public Emergency, enhanced security measures will allow the security forces to disrupt criminal networks, apprehend perpetrators, and create an environment conducive to sustainable peace.
It says these measures will continue to be implemented with strict adherence to constitutional safeguards and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The OPM adds that the government will continue to address root causes of violence in these communities by engaging stakeholders to ensure that accompanying social intervention programmes will provide long-term solutions to the social and economic challenges faced by residents.
The OPM sought to assure that the government and the security forces will continue to take all necessary actions to protect the safety of residents and restore normalcy.
