The Jamaican House of Representatives has approved a further 180-day extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in seven communities: Mount Salem, Denham Town, August Town, Greenwich Town, Norwood, Parade Gardens, and Savanna-La-Mar.

This extension is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to stabilise these areas.

Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, highlighted the significant progress made within the zones over the past six months, emphasising investments in infrastructure, human development, and community services.

These investments include the rehabilitation of water systems, sewage, and roads, the removal of zinc fences, and improvements to schools and community facilities. He also noted the provision of business development support, such as training, equipment, and assistance with business registration, as well as various social programmes like summer camps and academic enrichment initiatives.

Chang underscored that “crime is not just a law enforcement issue—it is deeply rooted in socio-economic disparities, lack of opportunity, and community decline,” which is why the government continues to focus on comprehensive community development alongside security measures.

However, Opposition Leader Mark Golding raised concerns about the prolonged duration of ZOSOs in communities like Denham Town and Mount Salem, which have been under the special measures for nearly seven years.

He said, “Madam Speaker, we consistently supported the motion to extend the duration of these ZOSOs. There are two things we would say this afternoon; first of all, in the case of, I think, Denham Town and Mount Salem, these have been in place now for seven years, around that period of time. A long time, and I really wondered what the strategy for these two communities to exit being in these zones is, or is it unknown how long they remained in ZOSOs? I don’t think when we first learnt of the decision to utilise this mechanism it was envisaged that communities would be permanently within a ZOSO, which by its very name suggests a status that is not a very normal status for a community, and indeed the legal regime of a ZOSO is tailored to enhance powers around maintaining control and peace and stability in those communities, which necessitates some amount of adjustment to the freedom of the residents.”

In response, Dr. Chang acknowledged the need to consider the eventual end of the ZOSO in Mount Salem while noting the lessons learnt from Denham Town, where significant reductions in violence have been observed.

He said the government is looking at the end of the ZOSO in Mount Salem while noting that there are some lessons that are being learnt in the Denham Town area, noting that significant levels of violence have been reduced.

A 180-day extension of the ZOSO was approved in seven communities in June of this year by the House of Representatives.