Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, says Jamaicans should remain firm and resolute in denying criminals any sense of security or belonging within their neighbourhoods.

“Criminals are bad news – blights on our communities and hindrances to our well-being. They are violent and stand against everything that is good and decent,” Dr Holness said, and urged Jamaicans to offer wrongdoers “no peace or safe haven”.

Addressing residents, business interests and other stakeholders during the commissioning of the Runnit and Middle Quarters Pipeline Projects in St. Elizabeth, on March 14, Dr. Holness expressed his appreciation for the significant progress made in reducing crime in the parish and, by extension, right across the island.

“I was informed this morning that the parish of St. Elizabeth continues to do very well since my last update last month. There was only one murder reported in the parish, and you are tracking 80 per cent behind where you were last year. These are amazing statistics and a testament to the possibility of peace,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that the vast majority of residents are law-abiding citizens. “None of you here, I can say with great certainty, are causing, creating, or contributing to crime and violence in your parish. It is but a few… less than one per cent of the population who are responsible for criminality and violence,” he added.

Dr Holness called on residents of St. Elizabeth to rise as one to support local law enforcement.

“It is time for the good people of this country to unite in support of our police officers, who must in turn treat the people with respect,” the Prime Minister said.

“You must become wardens of this peace. What we have achieved in the parish can continue if all of you commit to working with the police. Share information, recognise that keeping the very small number of troublemakers around you is not in your interest. Run them out of your community, push them out, and know that the police will take care of them justly and appropriately,” he added.

For his part, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, Hon. Floyd Green, said that the Prime Minister’s message will resonate well with all law-abiding citizens, reiterating that there must be no “hiding place” for criminals.

“We are not going to let a few bad apples define who we are. We are committed to working with the police and ensuring that our neighbourhoods remain peaceful,” he added.