Senators today (Sep 21) approved the extension of the state of public emergency in the St. Catherine North police division.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to extend the state of emergency.

The security measures were slated to end on October 2, but will continue until January 2, 2019.

Speaking at the debate for the extension, Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said that the SOE must continue as the country is making gains against criminality.

Senator Johnson Smith noted that the state of emergency continues to have positive results in st. Catherine north.

And, despite supporting the resolution to extend the state of emergency Opposition senators lamented that the problem of crime is a national issue and states of emergency cannot be used in place of a crime plan.

Senator K.D. Knight expressed concern that other areas of the island might be neglected in the fight against crime and violence.

Both sides of the house voted unanimously to extend the state of emergency in St. Catherine North.

Meantime, thirty-three people have been arrested and charged for murder in the St. Catherine North police division since the declaration of the state of emergency in March of this year.

That’s according to Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Kamina Johnson Smith.

Senator Johnson Smith said the arrests were made in relation to 29 murder cases.

Speaking on the resolution to extend the state of emergency in St. Catherine North, in the senate today, Senator Johnson Smith said the success of the enhanced security measures is undisputed.