Prime Minister Andrew Holness - file photo
Fitz Jackson, Opposition Spokesman on National Security - file photo
Horace Dalley, Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern - file photo
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Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security - file photo
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness as well as Fitz Jackson, Horace Dalley and Dr. Horace Chang
The House of Representatives has voted in favour of another extension of the Zones of Special Operations in Mount Salem, St. James and Denham Town, Kingston.
The Zone of Special Operations in Denham Town will end on August 16 and September 4 in Mount Salem.
The operations will be extended for another 60 days, if the Senate gives the greenlight.
In tabling the resolution Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said crime prevention programmes and strategies continue to bring order to both communities.
Mr. Holness pointed out that there are overall reductions in homicides and particular firearm related incidents in these communities. He also noted that road improvement and rehabilitation, the regularisation of utilities and drain cleaning are taking place in the communities.
The Prime Minister further argued that the extension is needed for more work to done under the Build Phase.
The aim of the Build Phase is to ensure the effective implementation of community redevelopment, citizen security and public safety initiatives to transform vulnerable and volative communities.
The initiative will also serve as a realistic and practical approach towards transitioning these communities towards sustainable peace, Mr. Holness argued.
He added that he will table a report on the progress of these communities in a Ministry paper which members of the house and media can review.
He noted that under the ZOSO Act, he is mandated to provide the house with an update.
However, Opposition Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson reiterated the People's National Party's position that a Zone of Special Operation is not needed for social interventions to be implemented in vulnerable communities.
He argued that social interventions are also needed in other areas where there is no zone of special operation.
"The security of our people cannot be a one-off, short term intervention. It has to be a long term, sustainable intervention, and we are awaiting those medium-long term intervention (sic) that can give us a sense of comfort that we are not only going to be safe today, we're going to be safe tomorrow and indefinately going into the future," he asserted.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Clarendon Northern Horace Dalley said the country needs to know how much money has been spent on the zones of special operation.
He also urged the Prime Minister to put the committees in place to oversee the operations of the security forces in the ZOSOs.
Mr. Dalley pointed out that other crime riddled parishes, such as Clarendon, are not getting any special support from the security forces.
However, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang responded, noting that the government is working to address the crime situation in that parish.
He said additional vehicles have been provided to the Mobile Reserve in Clarendon, which are already having a "significant effect in reducing the level of violence, but there are still issues out there which are to be dealt with at this point in time."
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