#Kingston, December 14, 2023 – The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (December 12), approved a 180-day extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in seven areas across Jamaica, which will all expire on June 25, 2024.

They are Denham Town, West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew, and Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland.

On November 21, 2023, the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) (Amendment)Act, came into effect.

Based on the amendments, the requirement to seek an extension of the Zones every 60 days has been increased to 180 days.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the work within the seven ZOSOs has transformed the communities and restored a sense of dignity to the residents.

“The documented successes within the Zones are not just infrastructural transformation but have been evidenced in the human capital development. This year, a greater emphasis has been placed on behavioural and developmental changes in the lives of the beneficiaries in the designated Zones,” Dr. Chang said.

“With a greater focus on case management and psychosocial support services, the mental and emotional well-being of our citizens are being treated as critical for crime reduction and diversion,” he added.

Dr. Chang informed that the first child adolescent counselling and family service unit is being established in St. James.

“Some 46 psychiatric aides have been trained. These psychiatric aides are individuals who are already working in the field in various service areas that relate to the community. They have [been] provided [with] the basic training to be able to identify those with emotional stress early and, therefore, get them to the right kind of professional counselling that is required to prevent them resorting to violence at any time,” he stated.

The Minister added that while the physical structure is not yet completed, there are staff assigned, noting that the training of the 46 aides will provide significant support in these communities.

Dr. Chang further stated that while progress in the Zones continues to be achieved, this has not been without its own inherent challenges.

He said the Joint Forces have, to a significant extent, maintained security and conducted coordinated internal operations within its boundaries.

“Yet, there have been occasional incidents which remind us that the focus on these communities must continue. We must persist with securing and transforming these communities,” the Minister stated.

“Not only will we focus on these seven communities but we will look at how we expand very rapidly in the new financial year to take services of the type that are available in these zones to the wider communities,” Dr. Chang added.

Contact: Latonya Linton

Release: JIS

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, addresses the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 12).

Mark Bell Photo