Building a Better Jamaica - Crime

Holness slams PNP

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:25:21 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

JLP says State of Emergency most effective tool against crime, must be preserved
Wednesday, July 28, 2010

ANDREW Holness, the man responsible for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) public relations machine, has slammed into the Opposition People's National Party (PNP), saying it has cost the nation "a perfect opportunity to... present a united resolve against crime".

State of Emergency vital against crime – JLP

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:25:53 +0000

Release Date:

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Argues that murders almost twice as bad without
Jamaica Observer
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

THE ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has outlined its case for retaining the State of Public Emergency, which expired last week, amid criticism from the opposition People's National Party (PNP).

JLP raises concern about spike in murders

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:10:39 +0000

Release Date:

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Jamaica Gleaner/ Power 106
Posted: Tuesday | July 27, 2010

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is this morning raising concern about what it calls the spike in murders since the State of Emergency expired last Thursday.

In the last two weeks before the measure expired, the murder rate was cut to an average of two per day.

However, since the expiration, the murder toll has climbed to about five per day, despite a new anti-crime plan announced by the police high command.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) concerned about the spike in crime since the ending of the State of Emergency

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:41:12 +0000

Release Date:

Monday, July 26, 2010

The JLP is gravely concerned about the spike in murders since the lifting of the State of Emergency . Murders per day were trending downwards to 2 under the State of Emergency . Since the PNP last Tuesday withheld their vote for an extension and effectively ended the State of Emergency , murders are now trending upwards to 5 per day.

The JLP would like to make our position clear on certain matters relating to the State of Emergency .

False Argument #1. State of Emergency is not responsible for reduction in crime

PM Says New Anti-crime Strategy Starts Friday

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:06:44 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

KINGSTON (JIS):
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, has announced that a strategic plan will be implemented Friday (July 23), to enable the security forces' anti-crime efforts to continue beyond the current State of Emergency, which ends midnight Thursday.

Crime Threatens Development- Baugh

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:11:36 +0000

Release Date:

Friday, July 16, 2010

KINGSTON (JIS):
Friday, July 16, 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that criminals and gangs linked to transnational criminal networks threaten new opportunities for development and progress in developing countries.

PM: Crime reduction needs to continue after state of emergency

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:40:16 +0000

Release Date:

Friday, July 2, 2010

Friday, July 02, 2010
Jamaica Observer

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding says the reduction in crime recorded over the past few weeks needs to continue after the state of public emergency is lifted.

Golding, who was speaking Wednesday night with listeners to his call-in radio programme -- Jamaica House Live -- said that law enforcement needs to thrive without emergency powers.

Sweeter deal for crooks to squeal

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:48:21 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Published: Thursday | July 1, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner

The Cabinet has approved changes to the legislation governing plea-bargaining that should sweep away concerns that conflicting laws might jeopardise criminals' ability to rat out cronies and spend less time behind bars.

"The amendments will allow a judge or resident magistrate to impose a sentence less than the mandatory minimum sentence that can be imposed under the law," Information Minister Daryl Vaz told journalists yesterday.

Samuda rejects dons

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:31:18 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

BY LUKE DOUGLAS Observer writer
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

SENIOR Cabinet minister Karl Samuda yesterday said that he told area leaders in his North Central St Andrew constituency that he will no longer utilise their help in upcoming election campaigns, even if it costs him his seat.

House Passes Anti-Crime Bills

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:07:54 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

KINGSTON, (JIS):
Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 22) passed the six anti-crime Bills, which will aid the Government in its efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country.

Emergency Extended to July, Expanded to St. Catherine

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:52:20 +0000

Release Date:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

KINGSTON (JIS):
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The State of Emergency, which has been in effect in Kingston and St. Andrew since May 23, has been extended until July 22, and expanded to include the parish of St. Catherine.

This was disclosed by the Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, in the House of Representatives Tuesday (June 22). The expanded state of emergency took effect in St. Catherine as of midnight Tuesday.

Mr. Golding said that the efforts that are being made and the operations that are being carried out must be continued.

House passes six anti-crime Bills

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:25:27 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

BY ALICIA DUNKLEY Observer staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, June 23, 2010

GOVERNMENT last night used its parliamentary majority to push through the six anti-crime Bills which have been on the table since 2008, with support from the Opposition on only one of the measures.

Jury Act Amendment to Allow for Majority Murder Verdicts

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:37:41 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, June 17, 2010

KINGSTON, (JIS):
Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Jury Act is being amended to allow for majority verdicts by juries, of no less than nine to three among a 12-man jury, in non-capital murder cases (where the sentencing options do not include the death penalty).

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who opened the debate on the Bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 15), suggested that the amendment would improve the efficiency in the court system and result in fewer instances of a hung jury, or a deadlock, which would reduce the need for retrials.

Gov't and Opposition to Arrive at Workable Agreement On Crime Bills

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:36:17 +0000

Release Date:

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

KINGSTON, (JIS):
Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Debate on the six crime bills was postponed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 15) as the Government and the Opposition agreed to hold talks to arrive at a "workable agreement" on the legislation.

"I think it is the feeling of the House that this would be the best position. Given the controversial nature of the Bills, this would be the best approach to give a unified signal," said Leader of Government Business in the Lower House, Hon. Andrew Holness.

Gov't reiterates commitment to dismantle gangs

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:54:47 +0000

Release Date:

Friday, June 11, 2010

Patrick Robinson Friday, June 11, 2010
Jamaica Observer

INFORMATION Minister Daryl Vaz on Wednesday underscored Government's intention to continue its push against organised crime and violent gang activity in communities across the island.

"It is number one priority on the list, we will do it, whatever it takes it must be done," Vaz told the Observer after a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House.

Anti-crime Bills debate to continue next week

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:02:07 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

BY ALICIA DUNKLEY Observer staff reporter dunkleya@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010

DEBATE on the six anti-crime Bills, which resumed in Parliament last week, are set to continue when the House meets next Tuesday.

The passage of the provisions has been choppy from the onset, given concerns raised by the Opposition People’s National Party about several aspects of the Bills, which they contend could create a wider window for human rights abuses and further frustrate the already clogged court system.

Anti-Crime Bills Debate Continues

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:55:26 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

KINGSTON, (JIS):
Thursday, June 10, 2010

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 8) continued debating the six Anti-Crime Bills, which the Government wants to support the efforts of the security forces to reduce crime and violence in the country.

Cabinet Approves Anti-Gang Legislation Proposals

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:12:05 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

KINGSTON, (JIS):
Thursday, June 10, 2010

Cabinet has approved draft proposals for the introduction of legislation for the suppression and disruption of criminal gangs and their activities.

The announcement was made by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, at the weekly Post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Tuesday (June 9).

Gov't gangs up on thugs

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:48:05 +0000

Release Date:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Published: Thursday | June 10, 2010
Jamaica Gleaner Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

The Government is to establish an anti-gang unit in the Ministry of National Security as part of its thrust to demolish organised criminal networks believed to be behind the majority of violence in Jamaica.

The special unit is to provide support to a similar team being established in police force.

Japanese assist Jamaica's effort to curtail crime

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:34:49 +0000

Release Date:

Monday, June 7, 2010

BY PATRICK FOSTER Observer writer fosterp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, June 07, 2010

THE Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) last Thursday received US$2.65 million (approximately J$239 million) to attack urban decay and criminality in broad swathes of the island stretching from the Corporate Area to May Pen in Clarendon as well as St James.