ALERT: Jamaica- Limited State of Emergency in St. James Parish (January 19, 2018)
January 19, 2018
The government of Jamaica has declared a Limited state of Emergency for St. James Parish, where Montego Bay, a popular tourist destination, is located. Other areas of Jamaica, including Negril and Ocho Rios, are not included in the Limited State of Emergency.
ABC News reports:
Police said Friday they will take a zero tolerance approach to crime in the parish of St. James, where Montego Bay is located, and nearby communities that have seen an increase in killings that officials blame on gangs and lottery scams. Police said businesses and recreational areas are under a temporary curfew, and the state of emergency allows them to search areas without a warrant.
According to the Jamaica Observer, a limited state of emergency means “that the security forces have been given extraordinary powers and some rights have been suspended. Members of the security forces may also search places without a warrant.”
[Prime Minister Andrew] Holness said the state of emergency does not equate to the suspension of the rule of law, adding that the security forces will respect the rights of citizens and protect the dignity of all.
During the question and answer segment, the prime minister said some questions would not be answered in a bid to avoid revealing strategic plans.
However, he explained that the government factored tourism into the equation and considered the effects that the state of emergency might have on the industry. He assured that stakeholders in the tourism industry have given their support.
In a Facebook posting, the State Department encouraged travelers to Jamaica to:
• Monitor local media for updates.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Cooperate with any police or military personnel you may encounter.
• Do not resist a police or military inspection of your vehicle and personal belongings.
• Allow additional time for transit on the roads in St. James Parish.
The U.S. State Department has not made further recommendations, however the Canadian and British governments have warned their citizens to stay inside their Montego Bay resorts.
Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.