ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

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$100 million worth suspected fake Crocs seized

Detectives assigned to the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch yesterday seized a large quantity of counterfeit goods during an operation on Barry Street, downtown Kingston.

One man was arrested in relation to this seizure.

The police said that during the operation, which took place between 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., several Crocs footwear, which is believed to be counterfeit, were seized from an establishment. The goods are estimated to cost more than $100 million.

The identity of the man in custody is being withheld pending further investigations.

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Off-duty cop kills alleged gunman

The Independent Commission of Investigations is investigating the off-duty police fatal shooting of 52-year-old, Ivanhoe Stewart.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at a bar and lounge in Comfort, Manchester.

The off-duty police officer reported that the now deceased was a customer of the bar, when the officer noticed a firearm in Stewart's hand. A reported tussle ensued when the officer stated that he attempted to disarm the man. The officer subsequently shot at the man using the seized firearm. The man succumbed to the injuries sustained.

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More CCTV cameras for schools

The Ministry of Education and Youth said it is preparing the procurement to enable system-wide installations and coordination of security cameras across the education system.

Portfolio Minister Fayval Williams made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

A survey conducted in July 2023 showed 154 schools with a total of 1,955 cameras.

"This year, an additional eight schools have benefited from $15 million in grants to procure CCTV cameras that will improve safety and security at their schools," Williams stated.

The minister also informed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, will be ramping up restorative justice practices in schools along with conflict resolution.

Approximately 3,600 participants across 120 schools will benefit from this training.

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Murders face harsher penalties

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says harsher penalties are coming for persons who commit murder.

Chuck, speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, said that if Parliament adopts the recommendation from the Joint Select Committee that reviewed key pieces of legislation, persons convicted on capital murder will be locked up for a minimum 50 years before being eligible for parole

The current sentence for capital murder is either death or life imprisonment without parole. Where a life sentence is imposed, the convicted killer must serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

For non-capital murder, the current penalty is life imprisonment or a fixed term of imprisonment. Where a life sentence is imposed, the offender must serve at least 15 years before consideration for parole. For a fixed term, the offender must serve at least 10 years before eligibility for parole.

"The consensus and the proposal from the Joint Select Committee is that [for] life sentence, if it is imposed for non-capital murder, the convicted killer must serve at least 40 years before being eligible for parole. If a fixed term of imprisonment is imposed, it must not be less than 30 years, but they must serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for parole," the minister said.