The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) strongly condemns the violence at a recent event in St. Ann and is calling on entertainment organisers across the island to urgently review and strengthen event security measures. 

JYAN urges promoters to ensure that staffing levels and safety protocols are strictly proportional to patron turnout, following security concerns that arose during the recent staging of Zimi Seh Beach. While youth-centred entertainment spaces play a vital role in social connection, mental well-being, and local culture, patron safety must remain the top priority.

Our entertainment sector provides many tangible benefits for young people, including opportunities for entrepreneurship, from party organisers to DJs, as well as avenues for creative young people to develop their craft and achieve success. This is something we should all be proud of and want to preserve for generations to come. 

Young people also make up a significant portion of the patrons at these events. It is therefore important to protect them from harm in these spaces of amusement. The feeling of being unsafe in different areas of Jamaican life robs many of our young people of the opportunity to fully enjoy their country and, for some, is even a motivating factor for leaving Jamaica with their talents and contributions to building this country.

Following video footage showing dense crowds with no visible security presence, JYAN emphasises that large-scale event promoters must establish clear risk-management strategies that are communicated to the public. Security personnel should be stationed in easily accessible locations where patrons can quickly seek assistance, and transparent emergency protocols must be established.

Both local and central government authorities should prioritise security support and consider subsidising the costs associated with meeting enhanced security requirements, while also enforcing strict security standards to which all event promoters should adhere.

Beyond private security measures, JYAN highlights broader systemic issues surrounding youth safety in nightlife and entertainment spaces. This includes mandatory training for venue staff and security personnel in conflict de-escalation, basic first aid, and trauma-informed emergency response.

JYAN reiterates that enjoying entertainment spaces should never come at the expense of safety and urges promoters, venue operators, and regulatory bodies to prioritise the protection and well-being of all patrons.

Entertainment is not just about fun; it is enterprise, a means of social mobility, a vehicle for preserving our local culture, and a source of relief from the often harsh realities of life. It is therefore incumbent upon us to recognise the security of these spaces as a matter of public concern and a policy priority.