A State of Emergency SOE has been declared in three western parishes.
Prime minister Andrew Holness announced this morning (Tues) that the State of Emergency in St James , Hanover and Westmoreland will be in effect for 14 days.
Speaking at a press conference, he explained that the decision came after careful consideration and review of the crime statistics and particularly violent crimes committed in some western parishes.
Mr Holness stated that the security forces advised that the situation warrants the declaration of the State of Emergency.
The declaration of the SOE comes days after Mayor of Montego Bay Homer Davis called for the measure to return due to the growing rate of crime in St James.
The business community in the parish also called for action to stem crime. An earlier SOE in St James ended January 31.
