We are working hard to fight crime- Holness

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the Government is committed to providing a coordinated and multisectoral approach in preventing and responding to crime, adding that measures are being implemented to strengthen the trust between the citizens and the security forces.

"We have a crime problem, a major problem. Over 1,500 people died in Jamaica (last year) and that is cause for an emergency. It could have been any one of you and, indeed, I am sure that all of you know someone who has perished in this crime situation. Many of you probably feel that you have to protect yourself because the police can't protect you, but if I allow that to take root in the society, then we will have chaos and anarchy," he said.

"So, I have to make sure that I strengthen the police and the military so that the society can feel that they can turn to the police and the military for their protection, rather than turn to gangs or seek to take the law into their own hands," the prime minister added.

He said the Government is working to ensure that over time, enhanced security measures such as the zones of special operations and states of public emergency will not be needed.

"We are working very hard to make sure that in 10 years' time, we don't need this again ... we don't have to have people being detained because there is no need for it. We don't have the luxury that some people believe we have; we are in an emergency situation, we are treating it as such, but that doesn't mean that we treat you in such a way as to diminish your rights and human dignity. I guarantee you that there will be a fair process," Holness said.