The Opposition is calling on National Security Minister Dr.  Horace Chang, to take urgent action to stop the spike in murders and to prioritize the deteriorating crime and public security environment which has prevailed in jamaica for several months.

Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson notes the escalation of murders over the weekend, with two triple murders and over 18 people killed since Thursday.

Mr. Jackson says the minister must respond with an effective policy initiative, which should include additional support for security personnel to combat this monstrous upsurge, which is of great concern to citizens.

According to the spokesman,   the murders have continued to escalate since the general elections,  as there has not been sufficient ministerial attention to public safety and national security. He states that notwithstanding the election result, the government should not fool itself into thinking that Jamaicans are satisfied with its performance in the area of national security in general, and murders in particular.

Mr. Jackson points out that up to the week after the general election, 891 people were murdered, which was 4.4% less than in 2019.  However, the PNP spokesman said, the last serious crimes report issued by the police a week ago, revealed that murders had increased to 1,133, only 1.8% below the comparable period in 2019.  Mr. Jackson said the killings over the weekend were indicative of this continuous changing environment of ‘creeping’ lawlessness and emboldened criminals, even in deep rural communities where criminal activity was always at the level of petty crimes.

He expressed condolences to all the families who were affected by these senseless killings, particularly the 81-year-old grandmother and two children ages six and ten, who were shot dead Sunday in Tryall Heights in St catherine.

Mr. Jackson said the citizens of jamaica expect swift police action from the Holness administration.