Extend ZOSO to other areas, say St James pastors

WESTERN BUREAU: WHILE WELCOMING the recently announced extension to the zone of special operations (ZOSO) in Mt Salem, St James, some religious leaders in the parish believe that the crimefighting initiative should be extended to other communities.

Last week, the Government approved a resolution for a 60day extension of the ZOSO in Mt Salem, which was selected as the first location for the initiative in September.

The Reverend Everton Jackson, pastor of the Montego Bay-based Calvary Baptist Church and head of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) in St James, said the ZOSO, having reaped positive benefits in Mt Salem, should now extend its focus to other volatile communities in the parish.

“What we need is a holistic plan for St James in order to deal with the crime situation. Doing the ZOSO community by community can be effective, as we have now seen with this specific community of Mt Salem,” said Jackson.” The security net has to be expanded to include the socalled troubled communities, with increased police presence not just in one or two communities but in all troubled areas.”

Pastor Victor Wheatley of the Mt Salem Open Bible Church hailed the ZOSO extension as a good thing and believes that it has proven its worth as evidenced by the reduction of crime in Mt Salem.

GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY

“It’s a good thing as to my knowledge, the crime rate has fallen. So it would only be good for the community if it continues,” said Wheatley. “But I do believe it should extend to other communities, not just Mt Salem.”

The call to extend the ZOSO to other parts of St James has been made by several prominent stakeholders, including the Reverend Kesla Forbes of the Pitfour Gospel Chapel, who badly wants to see a stronger security presence in Granville and surrounding areas.

With 262 murders since January, just two short of last year’s record 264 murders, many stakeholders see St James as a parish in crisis.