Kingston – Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday announced the imposition of States of Emergency (SOEs) in seven police divisions.
Speaking during an emergency press briefing, Holness said the SOEs were declared in the western parishes of St James, Hanover and Westmoreland and in the Corporate Area; and in the police divisions of St Andrew South, Kingston West, Kingston Central and Kingston East.
According to the prime minister, all of these divisions have seen increases in crime ranging from 16 per cent to 57 per cent.
“All have murder rates per 100 000 in excess of the regional average which is 15 per cent. In fact, the murder rate per 100 000 in these divisions range from a low of approximately 47 per 100 000 to 190 per 100 000.”
