The Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) is to unveil its findings on the effectiveness of Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in Jamaica next week.

ZOSOs represent a crucial approach to addressing the entrenched violence plaguing Jamaican communities. CAPRI through funding from the European Union recently completed a study assessing this approach to crime reduction.

The report titled, ‘Groundwork for Peace: Reorienting ZOSOs for Sustained Violence Reduction‘ critically examines the efficacy of the current strategies employed within ZOSOs and proposes innovative solutions aimed at fostering sustainable peace and development.

The report will be unveiled at a briefing slated for the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Research fellow Alexander Causwell will present the findings of the study that evaluates the “clear, hold, and build” strategy within ZOSOs, analyses the effectiveness of social development initiatives and proffers recommendations for structural changes to break the cycle of violence. 

Dr Diana Thorburn, director of research at CAPRI, will thereafter moderate a panel discussion featuring Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake and former Councillor of the Papine Division, Venesha Phillips.