22 Jan 2018 | 01:37 AM UTC
Jamaica: UK, Canada issue travel warnings for St. James parish January 18 /update 2
Governments of United Kingdom and Canada issue travel warnings January 18 urging citizens to exercise caution when traveling to St. James parish amid uptick in violent crime
Event
The governments of the United Kingdom and Canada issued travel warnings on Thursday, January 18, urging citizens to exercise caution in St. James parish, including in the Montego Bay area, due to an uptick in shootings and other violent crime and the issuance of a consequent state of emergency in the parish. Jamaican authorities have launched a "major military operation," with soldiers deployed to the streets, in the parish in recent days to tackle the violent crime wave, according to local media sources. A related curfew has also been put into effect in St. James and St. Catherine parishes; it is currently unclear when the state security operation and curfews will end. Jamaican security forces are reportedly searching vehicles entering and leaving the areas to aid the crackdown.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Canadian government have advised all citizens to limit their movements outside of resorts and to only use organized tour operators, arranged by hotels, for transportation to Sangster International Airport (MBJ) or other areas in St. James parish. The FCO has also advised British citizens to take extra precautions when traveling at night in the region. A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are expected in the affected areas in the coming weeks.
Context
The Jamaican government declared a state of emergency for St. James parish following security operations that occurred in the early morning hours of January 18. Soldiers from the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) set up checkpoints to stop and search vehicles along major roads, particularly around Montego Bay. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that the operation was intended to reduce rising crime in the country. According to the St. James police, there were 335 murders in the parish in 2017, 67 more than were recorded in 2016.
Advice
Individuals present in St. James parish, particularly in Montego Bay, and St. Catherine parish are advised to remain vigilant, follow all instructions issued by the local authorities, and take basic security precautions (e.g. keep signs of wealth concealed, drive with doors locked and windows rolled up, etc.) when traveling outside resort areas.
