Chang defends police
Minister of Nationwide Safety Dr Horace Chang mentioned the marked elevated within the variety of deadly shootings involving members of the Jamaica Constabulary Drive (JCF) shouldn’t be seen as extrajudicial killings.
Chang, talking on the opening of the brand new Lacovia Police Station in St Elizabeth final week, mentioned that higher intelligence, improved tools, and elevated police visibility naturally results in extra engagement with criminals.
Greater than 50 individuals have been killed in alleged confrontation with members of the JCF because the begin of the 12 months. Human Rights watchdog Jamaicans for Justice has raised issues about “the dramatic rise in deadly police shootings”, arguing that it “warrants better scrutiny”.
“JFJ firmly believes that physique cameras will considerably improve transparency and accountability in our crime-fighting efforts,” the group mentioned.
———-
Espresso producers urged faucet different markets
Espresso stakeholders in Jamaica are being inspired to discover the prospects of making a wider array of value-added merchandise from the commodity.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett mentioned whereas a lot emphasis has been positioned on the brew, there are profitable alternatives in manufacturing espresso derivatives and urged Jamaicans to faucet into that market.
“Nations have used the bark of the espresso bean to create all types of manufactured items. They make caps, they make hats; they make ties, and so they make mats and all types of different gadgets which are helpful and have a worth,” he mentioned.
The minister made the decision as he welcomed patrons to the eighth staging of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Espresso Competition at Hope Gardens in St Andrew on Saturday.
“The derivatives from espresso are much more profitable [than the brew] and provide nice alternatives for upside and draw back, lateral and vertical, and all types of motion that allows wealth creation. We wish to make espresso a wealth-creating agent, not simply an merchandise for gastronomy, however a component of job creation and prosperity,” Bartlett mentioned.
—-
NWC gives reductions to business clients
Business clients of the Nationwide Water Fee (NWC) are being inspired to make the most of its ongoing Amnesty Programme, which is in impact from January 2 till March 31, 2025.
Specifically, business accounts can entry vital monetary aid beneath the customer-relief measures element.
As a part of this particular provide, business account holders can profit from 30-50 per cent write-offs on balances which are greater than three years previous. Moreover, enterprise homeowners — whether or not working small, medium, or large-scale enterprises — can negotiate short-term cost preparations to settle excellent balances, making certain continued entry to important water providers.
———
Ambassador touts literacy as crime-fighting instrument
EU Ambassador to Jamaica Dr Erja Askola has emphasised the essential function schooling performs in addressing the island’s crime and violence points. She shared her perception that literacy is a strong instrument in remodeling lives and communities, notably in weak areas.
“When kids be taught to learn, they achieve the facility to alter their lives and their communities. Our aim is to companion with the Authorities of Jamaica to enhance literacy in colleges, fostering youth engagement and paving a brighter path for the kids of the nation,” the ambassador mentioned.
The EU has partnered with the Authorities of Jamaica to enhance literacy in colleges, notably in at-risk communities. It is help for the Artistic Language-Primarily based Studying Basis, which implements research-driven instructional programme, is likely one of the key initiatives serving to to enhance literacy.
“Schooling is likely one of the best instruments in stopping crime and violence, because it empowers younger minds, offers alternatives, and helps break the cycle of poverty,” Askola mentioned.
——-
Jamaicans urged to ‘Communicate Peace, Stay Peace’
Peace and Love in Society Jamaica will observe Peace Day tomorrow beneath the theme ‘Communicate Peace. Stay Peace’.
Appearing Director of the Security and Safety in Faculties Unit within the Ministry of Schooling, Abilities, Youth and Info, Richard Troupe, mentioned Peace Day is a vital initiative aimed toward fostering a tradition of peace and non-violence inside instructional establishments, houses and communities.
“Making a tradition of peace in Jamaica is a collective effort involving neighborhood organisations, private-sector entities, and church buildings. I’m encouraging all these teams to interact with their constituencies and maintain conversations that remind us all the vital must construct a peaceable society,” he mentioned.
Faculties are inspired to companion with native church buildings to reinforce neighborhood involvement and foster dialogue round peace and non-violence.
