04 Oct 2019 | 12:42 AM UTC
Jamaica: State of emergency extended in St. Andrew parish October 1 /update 8
Parliament approves 90-day extension of the state of emergency in St. Andrew parish on October 1; heightened security measures expected
Event
Jamaica’s House of Representatives voted to extend the current state of emergency (SOE) in St. Andrew parish for 90 days on Tuesday, October 1. The SOE will be in effect until at least January 4, 2020, which includes the capital Kingston. SOEs also remain in effect for St. Catherine and Clarendon parishes until Saturday, October 19, and in Hanover, Westmoreland, and St. James parishes until Monday, October 28. Further extensions are possible in the coming days and weeks if the security situation does not improve.
Heightened security measures, including checkpoints, and an increase in police operations are anticipated in areas under the SOE in the near term.
Context
States of Public Emergency have been implemented intermittently across multiple parishes since January 2018 due to rising crime rates. During "states of emergency," police and military personnel are given the authority to search people and buildings, curtail business hours, and detain individuals without a warrant.
Advice
Individuals present in the aforementioned areas, and across greater Jamaica, are advised to remain vigilant, follow all instructions issued by local authorities, and exercise basic security precautions (e.g. keep signs of wealth concealed, drive with doors locked and windows rolled up, etc.).
