Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association share concern over rising crime trend (Montego Bay, Jamaica – March 10, 2019)
The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MBCCI) and the Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association (JHTA) note their increasing concerns regarding the trend of criminal activities within the city of Montego Bay and the parish of St James since the announced intentions and actual withdrawal of the Enhanced Security Measures (ESM).
The ESM commenced January 18, 2018 and resulted in unprecedented reductions in murders and general criminal activity and brought in large measure a sense of peace and calm to the business community and citizens of the parish.
Despite the assurances and re-assurances from the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the Joint Security Forces (JSF) that every effort will be made to ensure the gains of the ESM will continue post ESM, the rising trend of brazen, cold hearted shootings and killings within the parish, gives great concern for these assurances.
The MBCCI and the JHTA is calling on the GOJ and the JSF to hasten the implementation of the relevant policies, legislation and strategies to bring an instant halt of this undesirable trend that has returned to the city and parish of St James.