Hope for Westmoreland State of Emergency

The parish of Westmoreland has been experiencing a flare-up of violent crimes in recent times, and with the recently imposed State of Emergency the business community is hopeful there will be some semblance of security.

The Vice President of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, Cosman Johnson says more police deployment is needed in the division for a sustainable reduction in crime. Johnson noted that clients are afraid to go out as they have worrying concerns as it relates to the crime rate. He added that though SOEs will affect business operations. crime will cause greater impacts, because people are afraid to even transit to Savanna-la-Mar. The epidemic of violence continues to bring pain and grief to many Jamaican families, in addition to negatively impacting business operations and productivity levels.

Mr. Johnson says most business operators in Westmoreland are fearful. While hailing the recently imposed State of Emergency, the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce Vice President, believes more can be done for the sustainable reduction of crime. He added that the police division is short on man power and more police offers are needed for this wave of crime. Meanwhile, reactions to the Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ ‘no more lockdown’ declaration.

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