Prime Minister Andrew Holness is seeking parliament’s approval to extend the state of public emergency in sections of Kingston and St. Andrew.

The SOE was declared on Sunday September 23, initially for 2 weeks.

The extension will see the enhanced security measures continuing up to next year January.

Speaking in parliament this afternoon (Oct 2) Mr. Holness said crime in the area is declining.

Mr. Holness said some communities in the police divisions under the SOE recorded very high rates of murders and shootings, between 2017 and September 30, this year.