Prime Minister Holness Pledges to Enhance National Security Through Plan Secure Jamaica
He discussed the need for organized townships that prevent confrontations between citizens and police as officers seek to enforce public order.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the Government’s strategic approach to Plan Secure Jamaica, a wholistic initiative designed to enhance public order and community safety by integrating proper urban planning, as well as implementing crime and violence prevention strategies to create safer communities across Jamaica.
Prime Minister Holness noted that Plan Secure Jamaica is not merely a reinforcement of the existing structures but a broader strategy designed to encompass all elements of national security.
“There are all kinds of strategies that have been employed to transform the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Some have worked and some have not. We saw what the challenges were, and the first challenge was that you could not place the entirety of national security wholly and solely on the JCF’s shoulder. There had to be a broader plan, hence we developed Plan Secure Jamaica, in which the JCF plays a very important role,” Prime Minister Holness explained.
Looking at public order and community safety under this Plan, the Prime Minister underscored the need for a well-planned urban environment to support effective policing and reduce conflicts.
“Occasionally, you will see videos of policemen in our urban centres trying to enforce public order, whether it is with taxi men or vending. And they get into confrontation with people who are not properly parked, or with people who are vending on the streets. Batons are drawn, guns are drawn, fights happen, and there have been, unfortunately, injuries and deaths.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that the root of these issues often lies in poor urban planning rather than solely in policing failures.
The Prime Minister continued: “We developed Plan Secure Jamaica which also includes how we build proper urban spaces that have designated parking, designated places for vending, and proper spaces for pedestrian activity. We need properly built townships.”
Prime Minister Holness noted that the government has already initiated efforts to address this issue, but cautioned that it would take some time to materialize.
Addressing the pervasive issue of violence, Prime Minister Holness also acknowledged the complexity of organized crime and the use of violence by criminals.
“Organized criminals choose to use violence even when it is not necessary. So you can’t merely say, the response of the police breaches human rights and criticize the police in unfair and unjust ways.”
The Prime Minister reiterated the multifaceted approach of Plan Secure Jamaica, involving not just the police but also educational and judicial reforms. He also elaborated on the extensive scope of this initiative, which includes various aspects of national security such as anti-corruption, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and financial security.
Prime Minister Holness assured that the Government is committed to continually refining and implementing Plan Secure Jamaica to ensure the safety and security of all Jamaicans.
The Prime Minister was speaking on Tuesday (July 23) at the Contract Signing Ceremony for the new St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters.