Readers’ responses

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that states of public emergency will be in place across Westmoreland, St James, Hanover, St Catherine, Clarendon, and parts of Kingston and St Andrew. They will last for 14 days before requiring a vote for its extension.

See readers’ responses from Twitter and Instagram.

“SOEs have diminishing returns, given the regularity of this measure in some of the same areas since 2019. Although, with the World Cup on, the numbers should hopefully dip.” – @slidemongoose

“And then what happens when the state of emergency comes to an end?” – @JAMA_CAN

“No new ideas. Just the same recycled tyre over and over again.” – @aarons_andre

“Is there any other way to fight crime?” – @radical__7

“Gwaan Andrew Holness. Love how yah fight crime. U doing a wonderful job.” – @M_Sceptre

“As long as it saves lives, who cares? I’m sure those innocent persons who have been killed would have hoped something was in place to save their lives and be present in the life of their family.” – @shadyoakdrive

“Merry Christmas, from the GOJ.” – @Rnevin4Nevin

“It’s almost like we need an organised and well-thought-out plan to solve crime. Guess the amnesty didn’t work out.” – @stuartsmellie

“So, when are we taking to the streets to protest this recycled strategy that is clearly not working?” - @kennysowhat

“Mi did really a hope for something different.” – @Scrups_Scrups

“SOE, ZOSO, JDF, JCF. H I J K elemenopeee. The entire alphabet is the crime plan sah. Fada God, you are seeing. We are tired.

The Government has peaked – think tanks are all burned out. Time to call an election or consequences will become more severe.” – @BagalueSunab

“Okay, SOE, so we have put security forces in the hot areas, good move. My question is, what is the next move? The forces cannot stay there forever. Yeah, crime drops dramatically when they are present, giving the wrongdoers some vacation time. This is where a crime plan should have been drawn up so we can pull it up on a laptop. Now that the areas are temporarily under control, what is the long-term plan to keep them this way?” – @waliworx

“Government can’t do it alone, the PEOPLE NEED TO DO THEIR PART, and you know what I mean.” – @qubangirl

“Let the traffic begin.” – @venom_unit

“Imagine, taxi strike and people can’t go home, and you come announce SOE.” – @dboy_shaine

“What’s the definition of insanity?” – @donlorenzo_90

“Same thing last year, same thing this year. This Government just in idle, quick-fix mode. Nothing concrete to curb crime and corruption ... a this unnu vote fa though!” – @lolawendylola

“Dem fi tek off deh camo print affa deh vehicle deh n put zinc fence print.” – @daciafairy

“I understand the frustration and the dislike of the SOE, but honestly, idk what the Government can do to stop crime in this country of ours, because it’s the people who are committing them. The people who are fighting/disrespecting police officers, fighting/killing each other, robbing and killing each other. The only thing I see happening is if Andrew implemented the death penalty; maybe they would think twice before doing certain things.” – @_tavibee