Sector groups support security operations

THE JAMAICA Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) have come out in support of the joint police-military operation in west Kingston.

In statements released yesterday, both organisations said the operation represented a necessary step to root out criminal gangs and organised crime and to break the stranglehold which dons have on communities and the lives of law-abiding citizens.

"In this time of crisis, we must not lose sight of the fact that we all remain Jamaicans and we have to look to each other's welfare and that of our nation," the JCC said.

For its part, the PSOJ said it is encouraging the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) "to continue their relentless and courageous efforts to restore law and order in certain sections of the capital".

The PSOJ said it urges the members of the security forces to "exercise fair play and to operate within the laws of the land, and the regulations of the state of emergency with swift and proactive investigation of any alleged abuses."

"It is now clear, at this time in our history, that Jamaica is at war with gang violence, drug dons and organised crime. It is a war which we, as a country, must win," the PSOJ added.

The PSOJ has said that given the "apparent threat that these criminals pose in St Catherine, we call on the Government to immediately extend the geographic scope of the state of emergency to that parish".

South Central St Catherine Member of Parliament Sharon Hay Webster had called for the state of emergency, announced earlier this week, to be extended to St Catherine.