Jamaica: Extra security in Denham Town (Kingston) due to crime

Event

On Tuesday, October 17, the government declared Denham Town (a neighborhood in western Kingston) a “zone of special operations” (ZOSO) until the end of October. The area affected by the present initiative is demarcated by Blount Street to the north, along Rose Lane (from the northern boundary to Beeston Street) to the east, along Beeston Street to Spanish Town Road (from the eastern boundary to Last Street) to the south, and along Albert Street to the west.

According to the Jamaican Parliament, ZOSOs allow security forces to impose a curfew in the zone, establish identity checkpoints, and conduct searches, seizures, and detentions without warrants. According to the police, cases of murders, shootings, and extortions are common in the Denham Town area, and the current initiative is intended to directly address the source of the criminal activity.

Heightened security measures in and around Denham Town, as well as associated transportation disruptions, are to be expected in the coming weeks. Violent confrontations between security forces and local gangs are possible.

Context

Organized crime groups are prevalent and extremely active in Jamaica, with officials recording a rate of 40.9 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2015. Although most criminal activity targets Jamaicans, foreign residents and travelers are also frequently impacted by violence.

Advice

Individuals present in Kingston are advised to remain vigilant, to follow all instructions issued by local authorities, and to take basic security precautions (e.g. keep signs of wealth concealed, drive with doors locked and windows rolled up, etc.) while in the city.