The House of Representatives has approved a further 60-day extension of the Zones of Special Operation, ZOSO in seven areas across Jamaica.
The areas are Denham Town in West Kingston, Norwood and Mount Salem in St. James, Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland.
The resolutions for the extensions were moved by National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang.
He was speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday.
Dr. Chang says the communities all had reductions in major crimes, including murder, as at October 13.
Parade Gardens and Savanna-La-Mar both saw the most reduction in criminal activities.
Dr. Chang says the success of the ZOSOs is also dependent on the implementation of a targeted operational strategy.
He says this will be done through a “Clear-Hold-Build” spectrum.
Dr. Horace Chang, National Security Minister.
Meanwhile, the National Security Minister says the Mount Salem and Denham Town Zones have collectively benefited from more than 700 million dollars of investment.
Mount Salem received $300 million dollars while Denham Town received 400 million.
Dr. Chang says Greenwich Town and August Town Zones have collectively benefitted from more than 350 million dollars.
He noted that Parade Gardens will require significant and sustained investments to address the community’s issues.
The Minister further added that 50 enterprise grants will be given to residents in Norwood by December as part of several initiatives to assist the community.
A development plan is still being created by the Social Intervention Committee and the Local Government Ministry for Savanna-La-Mar.
Dr. Horace Chang, National Security Minister.
