Shadow Minister on National Security Peter Bunting has expressed concerns over the Governments’ decision to declare states of emergency (SOEs) in four parishes ahead of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) annual party conference.

SOEs have been declared across the entire parishes of Hanover, St James St Catherine, and Clarendon, in response to the alarming levels of crime in the parishes.

Bunting, in a statement on Thursday, November 23, said: “The recurring pattern of SOE declarations ahead of the JLP’s Annual Party Conference is raising questions about the government’s priorities. It appears more performative than effective, indicating a concerning trend in the misuse of security measures for political optics rather than genuine public safety.”

“Despite the serial and routine use of SOEs over the last eight years of the Andrew Holness-led administration, we are observing a distressing reality – on average, the annual number of murders has increased by 25 per cent (2000+ more deaths) when compared with the prior Portia Simpson Miller administration. This demands a serious re-evaluation of the Government’s crime-fighting strategies,” he added.

Bunting also called for a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address the root causes of crime and violence.

“It is time to move beyond mere declarations and focus on sustainable solutions that truly prioritise the safety and well-being of all Jamaicans,” he stressed.