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The Jamaican Cabinet is likely to spend some time on Monday discussing the recent spike in violent crimes, although this topic was not originally on the weekly meeting’s agenda.
An increase in criminal activity since Thursday's expiration of the State of Emergency has triggered fears that Jamaica is heading back to a period of high murders and other serious crimes.
According to Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Information, the situation has left the Bruce Golding administration extremely alarmed.
He told RJR News Sunday night that the agenda for Monday’s Cabinet meeting will likely be amended to accommodate a review of what has become a worrying trend.
“The matter is not set to be in the agenda formally, but based on what transpired last week, this is something that is on the minds of the public and therefore, it will be raised during the Cabinet session,” he said.
More State of Emergencies possible
Mr. Vaz added that the declaration of another State of Emergency should not be ruled out.
“That is always a possibility but that is dependent on the discussions with the police and the Minister of National Security.”
Over the past five days there has been a spike in murders and shootings in sections of Kingston and St. Catherine.
They include Thursday night's quadruple killing in Bog Walk, St. Catherine and the shooting of four men on Red Hills Drive early Sunday morning.
The Government had hoped to extend the State of Emergency for another 30 days to facilitate special operations by the security forces in crime hot spots.
However, this was derailed on Tuesday after it refused to agree to a compromise fifteen day extension, in the first instance, offered by the Parliamentary Opposition; saying it would only accept the thirty days requested by the security forces.
An increase in criminal activity since Thursday's expiration of the State of Emergency has triggered fears that Jamaica is heading back to a period of high murders and other serious crimes.
According to Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Information, the situation has left the Bruce Golding administration extremely alarmed.
He told RJR News Sunday night that the agenda for Monday’s Cabinet meeting will likely be amended to accommodate a review of what has become a worrying trend.
“The matter is not set to be in the agenda formally, but based on what transpired last week, this is something that is on the minds of the public and therefore, it will be raised during the Cabinet session,” he said.
More State of Emergencies possible
Mr. Vaz added that the declaration of another State of Emergency should not be ruled out.
“That is always a possibility but that is dependent on the discussions with the police and the Minister of National Security.”
Over the past five days there has been a spike in murders and shootings in sections of Kingston and St. Catherine.
They include Thursday night's quadruple killing in Bog Walk, St. Catherine and the shooting of four men on Red Hills Drive early Sunday morning.
The Government had hoped to extend the State of Emergency for another 30 days to facilitate special operations by the security forces in crime hot spots.
However, this was derailed on Tuesday after it refused to agree to a compromise fifteen day extension, in the first instance, offered by the Parliamentary Opposition; saying it would only accept the thirty days requested by the security forces.
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