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Gov't, Opposition vow to fight crime

The Government and the Opposition have agreed to look at ways to tackle crime in the post state of public emergency era.

The security measure ended on January 2 in St Catherine North, in sections of the Corporate Area yesterday, and will end on January 31 in St James.

Both sides have been at odds about the continuation of the special emergency operations and met last night to discuss issues related to national security and crime management

In the statement, Holness and Phillips said that although each side had differing views on the constitutionality of extending the states of public emergency, both teams engaged in a full, frank and wide-ranging discussion and explored issues, including human rights, possible legislative amendments that could enhance crime management capabilities of the security forces and additional resources: financial, technical, and human to improve the capacity of the security forces.

It was agreed that the respective legal teams would meet to discuss and agree, where possible, on the crime control powers to be utilised in the existing legislative framework or new legislation.

Both the Government and Opposition agreed to continue discussions on points of agreement, while they seek wider consensus in the interest of Jamaica's national security.

Murder toll lower than last year

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reported that 20 people were murdered in the first seven days of 2019.

This is 25 fewer than the 45 homicides recorded in the first seven days of 2018.

Holness, quoting police statistics, said 11 of the murders so far recorded, happened in Kingston and St Andrew.

A total of 1,287 persons were killed in Jamaica last year, a 21 per cent decrease when compared with 2017.

Holness revealed that the 1,287 murders recorded last year leave Jamaica with a homicide rate of approximately 47 per 100,000.

"This is almost three times higher than the average for Latin America and the Caribbean, which has the highest homicide rate globally of 16 per 100,000 of population," he said during a statement to the House of Representatives yesterday.

Health Ministry making progress in containing dengue

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is giving the assurance that the team at the Ministry is making progress and will continue to take the appropriate actions necessary to contain the dengue virus.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that 123 dengue case reports were received for December, surpassing the outbreak threshold of 96 cases.

Tufton told the Lower House of Parliament that the Ministry has enhanced its clinical management efforts.

He noted that already, clinical staff have been resensitised regarding the management of dengue; emergency departments at hospital have been bolstered by increased clinical and administrative staff; and sensitisation of all doctors, private and public, has been conducted.

"The Ministry is also increasing available hospital beds by providing the support to open unused wards at St Joseph's and National Chest hospitals, and we now have extended opening hours at various health centres in anticipation of increased demand on the system," he noted.

Hostel for low-risk inmates reopened

The Ministry of National Security has reopened the Howard Pre-release Hostel, which will house qualified, low-risk inmates for up to 18 months, while they make their transition back into society.

Located at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, the dormitory-like facility has the capacity to accommodate 40 men.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Minister of State in the Ministry, Rudyard Spencer, said the hostel enables inmates who are deemed suitable for placement to have positive and productive interactions.

They will be provided with food, medical care and counselling, and engaged in religious and recreational programmes.

Spencer said that the objective is to ensure that when the inmates are released "the possibility of reoffending is almost eliminated".

Commissioner of Corrections, Ina Hunter, noted that nine persons are currently housed there.

She said the money was provided by the Government to refurbish the facility. The scope of work included roof and general repairs, refurbishing of the staff quarters, and replacement of the wooden staircase with metal to ensure durability.