Members of the Senate today haggled for a few minutes over the wording of the resolution on the State of Public Emergency for Clarendon and St. Catherine, regarding the number of days the measures should be in effect.

Opposition Senator Lambert Brown sought clarification as to whether the resolution was for 44 days or 30 days.

He also sought clarification on if this particular wording would be used in the future with other SOE resolutions.

In response, government senator Kamina Johnson Smith explained that the resolution is for a continuation of the initial SOE period, not an extension.

This means that the SOE which was imposed on September 5, will remain in effect for a total period of 44 days, up to October 19.

The Senate passed the resolution with 17 in favour, and 14 absent.

Meantime, Opposition Senator Lambert Brown, has again chastised the government for not having a crime plan, to effectively tackle crime.

Speaking in the Senate today, brown chided the government for what he said was wasting tax payers money, which would have been better spent on proving the police force with the resources to fight crime.

He lamented that the investigative arm of the security forces is woefully deficient.

In response, government senator Kamina Johnson Smith noted that government has taken steps to improve the conditions under which the security forces operate, so that both the JCF and the JDF can function better in tackling crime and violence.

She also reiterated that government’s Plan Secure Jamaica initiative, is  among the measures being used to address crime.

She also pointed to the 5 pillar anti-crime strategy.