Acting head of the Area 4 police, Senior Superintendent, Michael Phipps says the State of Emergency, (SOE), declared in sections of St. Andrew will seek to tackle the increase in murders, in the parish.

The SOE is in effect for the St. Andrew South police division and sections of the St. Andrew Central police division.

SSP Phipps cited recent reports of several deaths and shooting incidents in these divisions.

He said the police will not allow the situation to get out of hand.

SSP Phipps said the SOE will seek to curb these incidents.

Meantime, Member of parliament for St. Andrew South Western, Dr. Angela Brown Burke, is urging authorities to consider more comprehensive and lasting solutions, to address the root causes of crime, rather than relying solely on a State of Emergency (SOE).

The SOE, currently in effect for the St. Andrew South Police Division and parts of the St. Andrew Central Police division, was implemented in response to a surge in violent criminal activity.

Communities such as Maxfield Avenue, Waterhouse and Waltham Park Road, have seen a spike in crime, including the killing of 5 people, last Monday.

Dr. Brown-Burke acknowledged the police’s rationale behind the repeated use of SOEs to tackle crime, but emphasized the need for sustainable measures to ensure long-term safety and security.