National Reserve stays out 'til August

The call out for members of the Jamaica National Reserve has been extended until August 18.

According to a release from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) yesterday, the move is to facilitate continued support of the police-military operations in sections of the island.

"The JDF wishes to thank all employers and the local business community whose understanding and sacrifice have helped us remove more than 14,500 rounds of ammunition and over 88 illegal weapons from the hands of criminals," the release stated.

Beneficial partnership

"Although there is still much to be done, this mutually beneficial partnership between the JDF and the business community will help us to continue our efforts to reduce crime and violence and create a safer, more secure Jamaica."

The National Reserve was first called out in the lead up to the May 24 incursion into Tivoli Gardens, after gunmen loyal to alleged drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke barricaded the west Kingston community to prevent the police from taking him into custody.

Coke has since been extradited to the United States, but the state of emergency spurred by the late May civil unrest has been expanded to St Catherine and extended in Kingston and St Andrew.

Under the state of emergency the police and military have sought to weed out criminal gangs that have for years been crippling the nation.