Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced today (May 16) the declaration of States of Emergency for 14 days in the parishes of Hanover, St James, and Clarendon that are to take immediate effect.

According to Commissioner of Police Antony Anderson, the declarations were made in response to the recent flare-up of violence in the named parishes.

“The Clarendon Police Division has witnessed a significant increase in murders and shooting incidents with a 67 per cent increase in murders and a 41 per cent increase in shooting incidents as of May 14, 2023, compared to the same period last year. This necessitates the declaration of the States of Emergency,” said Anderson.

He noted that the St James division reported a 27 per cent decline in murders but still has the highest number of murders across all police divisions, with 69 murders recorded. The division also has the fourth-highest number of shooting incidents.

Additionally, Hanover recorded the highest increase in murders, with a 75 per cent rise as of May 14, compared to the same period last year.

The declaration was welcomed by Chief of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, who pledged the JDF’s commitment to working with the Jamaica Constabulary Force.