Please read our previous post, here, as it provides a background to the following:
Well, as the security forces continue their offensive against criminal elements across Jamaica, the police has reported that homicide rates have dropped from an average of 4-5 per day, to one (1) per day.
Only in St. Catherine were the rates elevated.
The police has warned about complacency in this matter and is adamant that the offensive against criminal elements be sustained over the long-run.
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There is presently a curfew on for certain sections of Kingston, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. The area under curfew is bounded by the May Pen Cemetery, Spanish Town Road, Industrial Terrace, Port Royal Street and Slipen Road.
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The security forces went to the Upper St. Andrew home of Mayor Desmond McKenzie, Tivoli Gardens Councillor and Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew, today.
They say they were searching for wanted men and gunmen...and that a car that was seen transporting gunmen in Tivoli Gardens was seen parked outside the Mayor's home.
However, when they went to his home, the only car seen was that belonging to the Mayor.
The Mayor was upset, as he claimed that members of his family and staff were manhandled by the police and complained that this was not the way for the security forces to conduct their investigations.
He said he wasn't complaining about them going to his house, just the way in which they treated his family and staff.
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Jamaicans from across Jamaica went to the Tivoli Gardens Community Centre and the former Remand Centre at 14 Metcalf Avenue, today, to identify photos of their relatives and friends who had died during the civil unrest in Western Kingston.
However they had difficulty identifying their loved ones.
The police has promised to do fingerprinting in order to aid this process.
You may be wondering how fingerprinting will aid in the recognition of the dead?
Well, if fingerprints match those that the police have on file, this would mean that the dead have criminal records.
...Hmmh...I'm wondering what the Public Defender would say to this revelation?
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Prime Minister (PM), Bruce Golding, visited his constituency of Western Kingston, today...however the media was not allowed to tour with him, during his visit...only the Jamaica Information Service (the media arm of the government) was given access.
Persons were seen speaking with the PM, re the recent happenings, there.
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The security forces say that Leighton 'Livity' Coke, brother of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, is cooperating with them.
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The Jamaican Parliament began debating four (4) of the six (6) Crime Bills, today:
They are, according to article, "New crime laws for Jamaica":
1) The Bail (Amendment) Act, where:
a) When the judge grants bail...the prosecutor may appeal for that bail to be revoked.
b) For persons on gun-related charges and/or who are charged for other serious offences..the onus will be on their defence to convince the courts why bail should be given. Presently it's up to the prosecutor to convince the court why bail should not be granted.
2) The Parole (Amendment) Act, where gun offenders will have a minimum of ten (10) years before being entitled to parole...this is up from the current seven (7) years.
3) The Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Act, where a repeat or violent offender may be held for up to 60 days without charge. However, he must be brought to court within the first seven (7) days of being detained.
4) The Firearms (Amendment) Act...which will allow gun offenders to serve a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of life, in prison.
Will bring you more information as it arises.
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Article, "New crime laws for Jamaica", via Go-Jamaica.com, June 2, 2010
2) Nationwide Radio, June 2, 2010
3) Television Jamaica, June 2, 2010
