Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the levels of criminal violence in the parish, justify the imposition of another State of Emergency in St. James.
Mr. Holness made the announcement at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing.
Ricardo Brooks reports.
Not for the first time the prime minister has asked the Governor General to grant the security forces emergency powers in the north western parish.
The latest declaration follows the brazen murder of three people as they sat in a taxi in Salt Spring in the parish on Monday.
Two schoolboys, seven-year-old Justin Perry and nine-year-old Nahcoliva Smith, were killed in the attack. The intended target, Tevin Hayle, was also killed in the hit.
Mr. Holness says what happened in Salt Spring on Monday cannot be classified as an ordinary crime.
St. James leads the country in cumulative murders and shootings so far this year.
The prime minister told the media briefing that the high levels of criminal violence in the society have caused an evolution in his views on the death penalty.
He says criminals have no soul.
Mr. Holness is calling on the society to speak with one voice in confronting the threat posed by criminals.
The State of Emergency will be in effect for an initial period of 14-days. It will require the support of the parliamentary opposition in order to be extended.
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