PM traveling to the US for talks on reducing the influence of dons on crime in Jamaica

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In an effort to improve collaboration in identifying and dealing with those in the United States who continue to encourage crime and violence in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness departed the island for Washington on Tuesday. There, he had consultations with the necessary authorities.

“Start the process of getting a more intense cooperation in treating with the foreign actors in our local crime,” according to Holness.

“Those dons, those who have migrated overseas, that in this (Christmas) season they will be sending the bag of rice and all the other goodies in the barrel, but secreted in that bag of rice, wrapped up in that blanket will be a gun or ammunition or parts thereof.”

The enhanced security measure last expired on November 29 after two weeks, and he was speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister when he announced the declaration of eight states of emergency to address an increase in crime since then.

He had been unable to secure the support of the parliamentary Opposition for a longer extension.

During the Yuletide season, the prime minister warned anyone who received such parcels that they were “not for your advantage, but to give to a child to kill.”

The senders of the weapons, he continued, “cannot feel free to influence, direct, solicit, or finance crime in Jamaica, therefore I travel to Washington to talk with the Justice Department, the FBI, and other organizations there.”

Holness gave notice that he was serious about putting a halt to their illicit actions toward those who were abroad.

He said, “We’re going to catch you if you’re overseas and you’re promoting, directing, soliciting, or funding criminality in Jamaica.

According to the prime minister, his visit “participated in strengthening the ability to treat with the criminality that exists, without having to use emergency powers.”

Holness dismissed assertions that his administration lacks a crime plan and stated that the administration was moving forward on two fronts:

to boost capacity, including the construction of police stations, the acquisition of additional vehicles for the security services, the enhancement of the Jamaica Defence Force’s border control capabilities, and overall the acquisition of more equipment than any other government in history.

by way of training, expanding the size and power of the security forces.

According to Holness, his Jamaica Labour Party administration has taken the necessary steps to protect Jamaica’s cybersecurity. “We have a comprehensive strategy secure Jamaica, which will assure a defense for Jamaica from any danger,” he added.

“I want the people of Jamaica to have faith in what we’re doing. The problem did not start yesterday. It has been 30 years in the making thanks to underinvestment and crude national security strategies, he said on Tuesday.