Reconstruction of the Mount Salem Police Station in St James

Kingston , Jamaica :For the reconstruction of Mount Salem Police Station in St James The Ministry of National Security in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) today broke ground.

The ministry stated that the police station will be reconstructed at the cost of $43 million and is one of two police stations in the parish to be constructed supporting the JSIF's Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP).

Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang stated that the restoration of the police station is also one of the initiatives under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, which tries to include crime and encourage community development by social intervention initiatives.

"At the start of the ZOSOs, the Government uttered that the intention was to execute a hold and make operation. This is where the security teams will go into communities to disrupt criminal activities and eradicate gangs. Once a certain level of peace is kept, we begin the process of community development through the upgrading of infrastructure, health, education and policing," Dr Chang said during the ceremony.

He added that despite the difficulties acted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is bound to investing in the safety and security about Jamaicans.

Dr Chang noted out that although Mount Salem is known as a "tough community", the security forces have been able to lower crime in the area.

"In the past nine months, we have reported only two homicides compared to the 12 recorded during a similar period last year," He added.

As per the ministry, the Mount Salem Police Station was earlier considered for infrastructural upgrades only. However, the ministry said after a thorough examination of the station by the relevant authorities; it was deemed irremediable due to deteriorating buildings and dirty conditions. It recorded that the new Mount Salem Police Station would feature an administration block, a guard room, resource room, an exhibit room, armoury area, two interview rooms, three offices, two restrooms, a kitchen area and a parking area.