St James on a path to healing

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I, like many others, have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of crime and violence across the parish of St James. Losing friends and family to senseless acts of violence has left deep scars, and for too long, our communities lived in fear. But today, I write with hope, as we celebrate a monumental achievement: Norwood has gone a full year without a murder. This is an extraordinary milestone for a community that has long been plagued by violence. Norwood’s success is not isolated; St James, a parish once devastated by crime, has seen remarkable improvements. Just one murder in an entire month speaks volumes about the progress we are making.

When I shared the news of the report of a single reported murder for the month of May 2025, a friend responded to my Instagram story saying, “My goodness ... St James?? Where Flankers, Rose Heights, etc?” It’s a testament to how far we’ve come that such a response would even be considered a surprise.

This progress is the result of strategic leadership and commitment. I commend the security forces for their professionalism and dedication in restoring peace to our streets. Their efforts have been critical in bringing us to this point.

I must also commend the Government, particularly Dr Horace Chang, the minister of national security and member of parliament for St James North West. His leadership has been crucial in transforming our community. Through the “Plan Secure Jamaica” initiative, Dr Chang’s focus on strengthening our national security, investing in community-based policing, and disrupting criminal networks is yielding real results.

Most importantly, I commend the people of St James, mothers, fathers, children, and community leaders, who have united to create and sustain change. While there is still work to be done, today we stand proudly on a path to healing, with a safer and more hopeful future ahead.

SUJAE BOSWELL