Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Citizen Security Business Group will be called upon to take a broader role in addressing public order issues as the Government continues efforts to strengthen security and maintain peace across communities.
Dr. Chang made the announcement during the Group's quarterly meeting, at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, September 25. The Business Group brings together senior government leadership, permanent secretaries and the Financial Secretary, the police, the Jamaica Defence Force, heads of relevant agencies and Ministers with responsibility for national security and related social interventions.
The Security and Peace Minister said the Group's work, traditionally focused on coordinating strategic social interventions through the Citizen Security Plan (CSP), would be expanded to support efforts to address a wider range of public order concerns.
"We'll be doing a number of things this year in addition to the usual programmes we have in terms of CSP, but public order is very much a part of what we are looking at doing, and I think this is a forum in which we can make a difference," Dr. Chang said.
He identified road traffic violations, noise abatement, improper disposal of waste, vending and other fixed-penalty offences among the areas to receive increased attention.
Dr. Chang said the Government is also looking to make greater use of the Traffic Ticket Information Management System (TIMs) as a tool for addressing public order offences.
"We are looking at other public order issues that are of high interest and major significance in creating a better environment in the community," he said.
According to Dr. Chang, the broader focus is intended to complement the Government's ongoing citizen security interventions by addressing issues that directly affect the quality of life in communities.
"Public order is a critical thing for ensuring quality of life out there and maintaining peace," he said.
The Citizen Security Business Group meets quarterly as it continues to coordinate Government's whole-of-society approach to citizen security, bringing together public safety, social development and community empowerment initiatives to strengthen interventions in vulnerable communities islandwide.
Dr. Chang said the expanded scope of the Group is expected to contribute to better order in society while supporting the Government's wider efforts to secure the peace dividend.