St. Ann has now been placed under a state of emergency (SOE), as the Government re-imposes the crime-fighting measure in a number of parishes.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the SOEs for St. Ann, Clarendon, St. Catherine, specified areas of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover.

Mr. Holness, who spoke at a press conference this morning (December 6), noted that the country’s crime rate has increased since the expiration of the last SOEs on November 29.

Meantime, Mr. Holness also sought to address the argument that the SOEs are unconstitutional.

He also clarified that people will not be detained indefinitely under the SOEs.