Kingston, Jamaica: A State of Public Emergency (SOE) has been declared within the St. Catherine North Police Division following a latest surge in violence within the area.
The declaration is available in response to the escalating unrest in Spanish City and surrounding communities, which started after the deadly police taking pictures of reputed One Order Gang chief Othneil Lobban, also called ‘Thickman’, final Wednesday.
Lobban’s killing sparked widespread protests and violent clashes within the space, with residents blocking roads and interesting in confrontations with legislation enforcement.
The SOE, which got here into impact on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, will enable safety forces to implement enhanced measures to revive order and guarantee public security.
The boundaries of the SOE have been clearly outlined:
- EAST: Beginning within the neighborhood of Windsor Citadel and Carron Corridor and increasing south-easterly alongside the frequent boundary for the parishes of St Catherine, St Mary, after which St Andrew to Rock Corridor.
- SOUTH: Thence usually in a south-westerly path for roughly 33 kilometres at a bearing of roughly 219 levels to the place the communities of Cromarty, Bushy Park and Previous Harbour Highway meet. Persevering with in a northerly path for roughly 5 kilometres to the PJ Patterson Freeway.
- WEST: Thence extending usually in a north-westerly path for roughly 19 kilometres at a bearing of roughly 307 levels to the place the communities of Previous Harbour, Rock River and Bellas Gate meet.
- NORTH: Thence usually easterly alongside the shared boundary of the parishes of St Catherine, St Ann after which St Mary, again to the start line.
The Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Employees have appealed for the general public’s cooperation as safety forces intensify their operations to keep up order and defend the lives and livelihoods of all law-abiding residents.
