UPDATE: States of Emergency to end as Opposition votes against extensions

The Opposition has voted against extending the three States of Public Emergency.

After a lengthy debate of more than three hours, all 33 government MPs voted in favour of extending the measures in St James, Kingston and the St Catherine North police division.

However, the Opposition voted no.

How the votes for the extensions went:

St James - (imposed on January 18, 2018)
Yes - 33 (Government)
No - 21 (Opposition)
Absent - 9 (Opposition)
Ends: January 31, 2019

Kingston Western, Kingston Central and St Andrew South police divisions - (imposed on September 23, 2018)
Yes - 33 (Government)
No - 20 (Opposition)
Absent - 10 (Opposition)
Ends: January 7, 2019

St Catherine North - (imposed on March 18, 2018)
Yes - 33 (Government)
No - 20 (Opposition)
Absent - 10 (Opposition)
Ends: January 2, 2019

"We don’t need a State of Emergency to feel safe," said Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips in arguing that the measure should not be extended.

He said the state must provide all necessary security services, cordon, searches, seizures and arrests noting that the Opposition stands ready to support any reasonable measure.

But Prime Minister Andrew Holness said an extension was needed.

"We need more time," he said, citing letters from the heads of the security forces requesting a 90-day extension.

Holness also responded to criticisms by St Andrew South MP Mark Golding that there was no plan to exit the State of Emergency.

"We do have a plan to end the State of Emergency but we cannot give up the strategic advantage to say when," the Prime Minister told Parliament.

He said since the St James State of Emergency was imposed almost a year ago, murders have been reduced by 72 per cent and shootings by 63 per cent.

In the meantime, the Parliament has voted to extend the Mount Salem Zone of Special Operations.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.