INFORMATION Minister Daryl Vaz on Wednesday underscored Government’s intention to continue its push against organised crime and violent gang activity in communities across the island.
“It is number one priority on the list, we will do it, whatever it takes it must be done,” Vaz told the Observer after a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House.
The information minister made it clear that after the Tivoli incursion, the security forces will continue its drive to tackle criminal gangs in other communities, adding that Government was seeking assistance from outside Jamaica.
“After moving from Tivoli, we intend to continue in other crime-riddled communities… as we seek to get assistance from outside Jamaica,” Vaz said.
“This assistance will largely be in technical areas,” he added.
Vaz insisted that Government would be doing everything in its powers to continue the drive to dismantle criminal gangs, saying that it is to be “an ongoing operation for as long as it takes”.
“Whatever it takes it must be done,” Vaz responded when asked if there was a budget to offset such costs.
He told journalists that Cabinet had approved proposals for an anti-gang legislation that is expected tosee the formation of an anti-gang unit in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and a support unit in the Ministry of National Security.
According to Vaz, the anti-gang unit is to comprise investigators and analysts with the support of the Office the Director of Public Prosecution to target both organised and violent gangs.
He said that the support unit in the security ministry would provide financial assistance for the anti-gang activities of the cops.
The security forces launched a massive para-military operation in West Kingston two weeks ago after the enforcement of a state of emergency limited to Kingston and St Andrew. According to police reports, the offensive has resulted in the unprecedented unearthing of explosive devices, over 13,000 rounds of ammunition and just under 80 firearms, including high-powered rifles.
After the Tivoli incursion, calls for additional assaults in other crime-prone communities have subsequently come from the Opposition bench in Parliament.
Sharon Hay Webster, People’s National Party member of Parliament for South Central St Catherine, citing security concerns had asked for the limited State of Emergency to be extended to Spanish Town, St Catherine.
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