Cuthbert-Flynn chides Cousins for politicising Clarendon tragedy

State Minister of National Security, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, “strongly denounce as unbecoming and disappointing a false suggestion by Member of Parliament for South West Clarendon, Lothan Cousins that state agencies and the security forces have not provided immediate support to the people of Cherry Tree Lane in the constituency”.

The community experienced a gun attack last night which resulted in eight people being murdered.

READ: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20240812/mass-murder-ro...

Cuthbert-Flynn expressed condolences to the families affected by the ordeal and said she was confident that the police will be able to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

"The fact is that as a member of the media appeared to point out to Cousins in a video circulating online, the police have mobilised resources and have been making their presence felt on Cherry Tree Lane. Additionally, agencies of the state have moved to offer counseling services,” Minister Cuthbert-Flynn said.

“I insist that Cousins resist the apparent urge to play politics with tragedy and at the expense of the Jamaican people.”

Calling their actions “unacceptable”, in the video Cousins accused the police and the State as being tardy in their response to the tragic incident that also left nine persons injured.

“We need to do better as a country…since we realise that the state has not done their duty, then we now have to step in and do our duty and to assist the state the further,” he said.

Cuthbert-Flynn said as opposed to appearing to play politics with crime, Cousins should spend his time seeking to assist the security forces and the relevant state agencies in supporting the residents and helping them to cope in their time of bereavement.

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