Prime Minister says history of the use of emergency powers shows that they have been effective

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that special legislation known as the Enhanced Security Measures Act (ESMA) will be brought before Parliament and made public shortly. This follows the announcement of the new Bail, Firearms and Corrections Acts.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Little London police station in Westmoreland yesterday (April 7), Holness said special emergency powers are required as part of the crime fighting strategy and plan.

“I do hope that a wise position will prevail on the use of the emergency powers. It is an important tool to give communities at war a sense of peace,” said the prime minister.

Holness further stressed that there is an emergency in the country and the Government and judiciary must be cognizant of same. He emphasised that, generally, the perpetrators and victims of crime are young men between the ages of 16 and 24 and that the ESMA will place specific focus on this area.

In the meantime, the prime minister indicated that the Government has taken a comprehensive approach to crime fighting through Plan Secure Jamaica, a component of which is the use of emergency powers.

“When we used the emergency powers in the parish of Westmoreland, it worked. We cannot deny the history of the use of emergency powers. If any government should fear the use of emergency powers, it should be this government. And when we decided to use it as a strategy, we didn’t just immediately implement,” said Holness.

He further said: “As we pursue the use of emergency measures, our police force, our military understand that any power they have, must be used within the law and with respect for the citizens; I believe we have shown that and done that.”

Prior to the implementation of the state of emergency, the prime minister said the Government had gone through a thorough process of training the security forces to effectively use force without violence while carrying out their duties.

Finally, Holness announced that the Government was moving toward a compulsory national service programme to be rolled out in short order through the Jamaica National Service Corps.