Police high command urges calm during nomination day

The Police High Command has sought to quell the fears of many, and assure citizens of their committment to deliver an election, that is both free and fair, following reports of two separate unfortunate incidents that took place in the lead-up to the island wide Nomination Day activities.

According to a statement from the police, investigations into both incidents are ongoing and at an early stage.

The police say investigators are unable to conclusively establish a political motive in connection with either of these incidents. As such, they are urging citizens to remain calm during this election period.

In the first incident, a fisherman of Rocky  Settlement in Clarendon, 35-year-old Paul Henry, was shot and killed in his community on Monday August 17.

Reports from the May Pen police are that shortly before midnight, Henry was concluding the erection of a political billboard, when he was pounced upon by armed men who opened gunfire hitting him.

The police were alerted and he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

In the second incident, the Caymanas Police in St. Catherine reported that at about 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, the police were summoned to Portmore Villas after citizens saw a shop on fire.

No one was injured in the blaze but other adjacent dwellings were damaged.

The JCF further stated that they are treating the matter with the seriousness they require, and has assured the public that they are mobilising all the necessary resources in various divisions to ensure every Jamaican can exercise their right of franchise in peace and safety. 

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