Young Ja calls for reinstatement of St James SOE

THE AREA Council 4 of Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Jamaica Labour Party, is standing in support of Mayor Homer Davis, and calling for the reinstatement of the state of public emergency (SOE) in St James.

The residents would prefer the presence of the security forces and whatever conditions that comes with, than the ruthless crimes that destroy their lives, families, property and general livelihood.

The state of emergency, which was a decisive and effective tool against crime, was snatched away from Montegonians and the entire parish of St James, against the wishes of those who are experiencing the violence and the infringement upon their livelihoods.

The removal has left the parish once again at the mercy of criminal elements. Young Jamaica Area Council 4 has seen the plight of the people and share the fear that has resurfaced, now a common part of their daily lives. The premature removal of the SOE has emboldened the criminal underbelly, putting citizens at risk yet again.

To once again preserve the safety of the residents of the parish and to positively rebrand the parish, the SOE must be reinstated.

We reject the blatant disregard of the People’s National Party, which has resulted in the further encroachment of unscrupulous entities upon the law-abiding citizens of St James. The return of crime, and all its consequences, is on their heads.

I am posing a question to the Opposition leader: if the prime minister can come to Montego Bay to keep a town hall meeting to hear the concerns of the citizens, then why can’t the Opposition do the same?