By Sugar Ray Thomas

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has hailed the continued work of Project STAR in transforming the lives of residents of communities once impacted by violence.

This is being done through social protection and employment placement initiatives.

The disclosure was made at the Project STAR Donor Breakfast this morning.

Project Social Transformation and Renewal (STAR) is a social and economic transformation initiative created by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

It is driven by communities to bring about societal transformation through targeted interventions in under-resourced areas of Jamaica.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Warren Clarke, who presented the minister’s statement said the project’s Year Four Quarterly Report which covers the period December 2025 to February 2026 shows that across three thematic areas – social protection and inclusion, local economic development as well as community-led action, the clear majority of performance indicators are on target or have been exceeded.

Under local economic development, DCP Clarke said achievements include a 97% completion rate among persons pursuing job readiness training. 

Meanwhile, DCP Clarke said under community-led action, the shift between the communities and the Constabulary is one of the most significant outcomes of the Project STAR programme.