Curfew extended in northern St Catherine

The curfew that was imposed in sections of the St Catherine North Police Division after the state of public emergency ended on Wednesday has been extended.

The curfew is scheduled to end at 6p.m. tomorrow.

The police say during the hours of the curfew, residents in communities that fall within its boundaries “are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorised in writing by the ground commander.”

The St Catherine North Police Division recorded over 200 murders in the last two years.

Last March, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of public emergency in the division.

It was extended for three months after it expired in September.

Holness, in defending the enhanced security measure, revealed that 27 murders and 22 shooting incidents were recorded in the division between March and September last year.

By comparison, he said there were 82 murders and 72 shootings in the 168 days before the state of emergency was announced.

The anti-crime measure ended after the parliamentary Opposition withdrew its support, citing concerns about the legality of the extensions and reported breaches of the constitutional rights of detainees.

 

The boundaries of the curfew are as follows:

NORTH:       

Along Greendale main road, from the bridge at Dempshire Pen to the intersection with Michael Manley Boulevard

EAST:                        

Along Michael Manley Boulevard, from Greendale main road to the intersection with Spanish Town Bypass

SOUTH:        

Along Spanish Town Bypass, from Michael Manley Boulevard to the bridge at the Rio Cobre River

WEST:           

Along the eastern bank of the Rio Cobre, from the bridge at the Rio Cobre to the Bridge at Dempshire Pen

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