Jamaica’s Prime Minister Thanks Local Stakeholders’ Support

Jamaica prime minister, Andrew Holness, has welcome the support of tourism stakeholders in St. James after the government rolled-out a series of increased security measures to curb crime in the area.

The move has led some to question the safety of tourists in the popular Montego Bay resorts.

The prime minister was responding to a question during a press conference where he announced that a state of public emergency has been declared for the parish.

Holness said all members of the tourism fraternity can be assured that the security forces will act in a way that will be a credit to the destination.

He said the government factored tourism and other interests before the declaration of the state of emergency.

Holness said while some persons may have felt that the declaration of the area may have taken some time, “all the variables are now in alignment for a successful operation”.

The Jamaican constitution provides that a period of public emergency can be declared by proclamation if the governor-general is satisfied that action has been taken or is immediately threatened by any person or body of persons of such a nature and on so extensive a scale as to be likely to endanger public safety.

It means that extraordinary powers have been given to the security forces, some rights have been suspended, and members of the security forces may search places without a warrant.