Court buildings evacuated due to security issues

Both the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court and the St Catherine Parish Court have been evacuated due to security issues.

Police officers and firefighters have cordoned off both buildings.

At the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, the police's Bomb Squad are currently combing through the building, employees told The Star moments ago.

“All now me not sure what happened. We just heard there was a bomb threat and everybody run out,” one court employee reported.

“We were just kind of ushered out the building,” a top attorney revealed.

Acting Superintendent Patrick Arscott of the Jamaica Fire Brigade's Half-Way Tree Division confirmed that his team has been on standby for approximately 45 minutes, awaiting the arrival of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s bomb squad.  

“The team has been here since the alert was raised, ensuring public safety while the bomb squad makes its way to the scene,” Arscott explained.  

Police on the ground have ramped up security measures, combing the area and checking individuals as part of their efforts to secure the premises.

Over in St Catherine, in addition to the courthouse surrounding buildings such as the St Catherine Municipal Corporation were also evacuated.

Roads have also been closed and traffic diverted.

This is the third such security issue at the St Catherine Parish Court since the start of the year.

- Rasbert Turner / Livern Barrett

Tiffany Pryce contributed to this story.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar