UPDATE: Increased murders, shootings in western parishes prompt SOE

Livern Barrett, Senior Staff Reporter

A total of 105 persons have been murdered in St James, Hanover and Westmoreland since the start of the year and Police Commissioner Major Antony Anderson has signalled that this was what prompted the security forces to request that a state of public emergency be declared.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced today that Governor General Sir Patrick Allen has declared a state of public emergency in the three parishes.

It will initially remain in effect for 14 days.

Police statistics show that 410 persons have been reported killed in Jamaica since January 1.

Up to April 22, the statistics show that 49 killings were recorded in St James, a near 70 per cent increase over last year, 43 in Westmoreland and 13 in Hanover.

Anderson, who was speaking during a Jamaica House press conference to announce the declaration of the state of public emergency, said Westmoreland "was the most murder-dense place in the country followed by Hanover."

"St James has gone up 70 per cent over where it was last year this time and Hanover is still significantly high," he told journalists.

"It was these figures and the challenge of violence in these places that caused myself and the CDS  [Jamaica Defence Force Lieutenant General Rocky Meade] to recommend to the Prime Minister that we declare a state of emergency in these areas."

Said Anderson:"We must save lives."

Meade concurred saying that the "informed assessment" of the security forces is that the high level of murder, shootings, gang activity and the illegal trade of guns and drugs "is of such a nature and on such an extensive scale that it endangers public safety."

Last December, the parliamentary Opposition voted against any further extensions of the three states of public emergency that were in place in St James, the St Catherine North Police Division and across three police divisions in the Corporate Area.

Holness said members of the Opposition were informed before the declaration was made and "we await to see what their response will be."

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