The Northern Regiment for the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) has launched its Tree Planting Project at JP Farms, Agualta Vale in St. Mary, where some 500 trees were planted this morning in commemoration of National Environment Awareness Week (June 1 -8).
The Anti-Gang Bill is one step closer to becoming law, with Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda leading the debate on the amendments in the Senate today.
He said the amendment Bill, entitled The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) (Amendment) Act, 2021, will sufficiently augment the Anti-Gang Act, while including appropriate safeguards to bring to its full potential as a legal tool that the justice system can employ in the fight against organised crime.
The Special Security and Community Development Measures, Zones of Special Operations, encompassing the Denham Town, Mount Salem, Greenwich Town and August Town communities has been extended for a further period of sixty (60) days by an act of Parliament.
The age-old practice of assigning members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to provide close protection support for public officials is to be overhauled. This was outlined by Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang when he addressed the Parliament earlier today (Wednesday, October 6, 2021).
Minister Chang stated that Cabinet has already examined and approved the Public Officials Protection System (POPS) Policy, which is intended to provide an objective, assessment-based framework for providing close protection support to public officials.
Due to an increase in the reported cases of intra-family violence, a Domestic Violence Intervention Centre (DVIC) was established at the Constant Spring Police Station in 2018. Since then, over 1,000 persons have made use of the facility through telephone conversations or in-person visits.
The Government has issued a policy directive to reposition social investments and to rethink crime prevention programmes in communities across the country in an effort to eliminate undesirable social influences and to positively impact lives, says National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.
As a result of the massive investment made over the last five years and at the policy directive of the Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, Jamaica is witnessing its lowest recording of serious crimes in over 20 years.
The disclosure was made earlier today by Minister Chang during his Sectoral Presentation in Parliament, where he laid out the Ministry’s plan of action regarding the national security apparatus.
The Ministry of National Security this morning steered its Articulated Truck Driving Programme to Up Park Camp in Kingston, where it will deliver training to over 360 at-risk youth to operate heavy duty vehicles.
Last August the Ministry spent approximately $82 million to procure two mobile driving simulators to provide training for at-risk- youth residing in vulnerable communities in Kingston and St. James.
SENATOR THE HONOURABLE MATTHEW SAMUDA
REGARDING THE AUDIT “NOEL CHAMBERS”
Mr. President, the Honourable Members of the Senate are being asked to recall that in June 2020 the case of Noel Chambers was brought to the attention of the Government and the general public by way of INDECOM Quarterly Report (1st) January – March
2020.
Mr. Chambers, who at the time of his unfortunate passing (in January 2020) was an 81-year-old mentally ill inmate being held at Governor General’s pleasure.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is working to improve classroom infrastructure as well as compensation packages for the teachers of the over 190 wards in its care says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda.
