ZOSOs further extended by Parliament

Parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) in seven communities across Jamaica.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness closed the debate on the extension in the absence of National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, who is on medical leave.

The communities are Mount Salem and Norwood in St James, Savanna-La-Mar in Westmoreland, Denham Town and Parade Gardens in Kingston, and August Town and Greenwich Town in St Andrew.

Holness argued that the required extension needed no debate, as the benefits of the ZOSO remain evident.

"We are winning the war on crime. Even in the face of the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, the country did not descend into chaos. The results speak with unmatched clarity. Major crimes are down. Murders are down. Shootings are down."

But the Prime Minister also cautioned that the country cannot rest on its laurels.

"Gangs thrive where the state retreats. We are returning the state to communities previously abandoned to criminals. We remain sober about the risks that Melissa creates new vulnerabilities. We have to protect the gains, and this requires discipline, endurance, and national unity."

Three of the communities, Savanna-La-Mar, Norwood, and Mount Salem, are located in parishes that bore the brunt of Melissa's wrath, and Holness revealed that assistance will be tailored to take that into consideration.

Members on the opposition benches, while raising questions and voicing their own concerns, supported the extension as Parliament ended a marathon sitting on Tuesday.

- Karen Madden

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