Free Republic

Jamaica seeks US$1 billion to fight gangs Recruit police, remove dons and rebuild communities JAMAICA is seeking US$1 billion in loans and grants to help remove dons and rebuild the poor communities they have long dominated, reports Bloomberg News. The money will also be used to raise the complement of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from its current 8,500 personnel towards its target of 12,000. Government officials have been meeting with donor countries and international lending institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB). The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration believes that it has improved...

KINGSTON, Jamaica,The Jamaican government Sunday declared a state of public emergency in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew in response to gang attacks on police stations. The attacks were carried out by supporters of Christopher Coke, a gang leader who is in hiding from authorities as he faces weapons and narcotics charges in the United States, The New York Times reported. Prime Minister Bruce Golding summoned an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Sunday afternoon on the advice of Jamaican security forces, and the Cabinet decided to declare the state of emergency, the government said in a statement posted on...