分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following an intensive reconstruction effort, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has successfully reinstated electrical power to the National Water Commission’s (NWC) crucial Roaring River pump station. This vital infrastructure serves numerous communities across Westmoreland, marking a significant milestone in restoring normalcy to the region.

The re-energization process was finalized on Wednesday evening, with comprehensive system testing confirming stable power delivery to the facility. According to JPS officials, the reactivated electrical lines are now simultaneously providing electricity to both the water pump and residential JPS customers in adjacent areas including Petersfield, Waterworks, and Shrewsbury Falls.

The extensive restoration project presented substantial engineering challenges, requiring the complete reconstruction of more than 10 miles of electrical transmission infrastructure. Crews worked from the power generation source at JPS’s Paradise substation all the way to the NWC’s Roaring River pumping facility. The monumental effort mobilized over 100 line technicians who coordinated their expertise to accelerate project completion amidst challenging conditions.

This achievement represents a critical step in reestablishing reliable water services for Westmoreland residents who depend on the NWC’s distribution system. The simultaneous restoration of residential power to surrounding communities provides additional relief to households affected by previous service interruptions.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Municipal authorities in Kingston and St. Andrew have intensified efforts to enhance construction safety through expanded public engagement. The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is actively encouraging citizens to utilize its formal complaint mechanism to report potential violations of national building standards.

Duane Allison, Senior Building Officer at KSAMC, elaborated on the dual approach during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank session. While confirming that dedicated officers conduct regular zone patrols to identify unauthorized construction activities, Allison emphasized the critical role of community involvement through the corporation’s complementary complaint platform.

“Our surveillance system operates through specialized officers monitoring construction zones to detect regulatory breaches,” Allison stated. “Simultaneously, we’ve established a responsive public reporting channel where residents can alert us to violations, particularly after-hours construction or development in environmentally sensitive areas.”

The reporting process offers multiple access points: citizens can visit ksamc.gov.jm and navigate to the ‘report breaches’ section for digital submissions, or contact hotlines at (876) 967-0585/4195. Effective reports should include specific details such as property location and violation characteristics. Allison noted that complainants frequently report construction on gully reservations – protected natural drainage areas – prompting official investigations into project authorization status.

To facilitate evidence-based investigations, the system accepts photographic documentation and supplementary materials from reporters. Notably, KSAMC guarantees anonymity for individuals submitting concerns, though those seeking follow-up communication may provide contact information.

This initiative coincides with Jamaica’s Earthquake Awareness Week (January 11-17), organized under the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). With the thematic focus ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’, the campaign highlights the importance of code-compliant construction in mitigating seismic risks and ensuring structural integrity during natural disasters.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — A significant law enforcement operation in the Beetham Gardens area has resulted in a major drug interdiction and three arrests, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed this week. The operation, executed under the nation’s current state of emergency and its Emergency Powers Regulations of 2025, targeted a residential property suspected of narcotics trafficking. During a systematic search of the premises, conducted with the occupants present, officers uncovered a substantial cache of illicit substances. The discovery consisted of 111 multi-colored, rectangular packages, all containing high-grade cannabis. The total weight of the seized marijuana was precisely measured at 78.52 kilograms. Law enforcement officials estimated its potential market value at a staggering TT$8,617,334.44, equivalent to approximately US$1.38 million. Consequently, three individuals were taken into custody: two men, aged 45 and 32, and one woman of undisclosed age. All three suspects are slated for a court appearance to face formal charges related to the possession and intended distribution of the controlled substance. This bust represents one of the more significant seizures in recent operations, highlighting continued efforts to combat drug trafficking amidst the ongoing state of emergency.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Supreme Court has delivered a landmark ruling against the nation’s police leadership, declaring that senior commanders exceeded their legal jurisdiction when disciplining an officer over a controversial TikTok video. Justice Tania Mott Tulloch-Reid determined that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) leadership violated established Police Service Regulations in their handling of the case involving Constable Miskha Sterling-Gibson.

The judicial review centered on a January 2024 social media post featuring three uniformed officers participating in a viral trend. The video contained satirical commentary about police privileges, including skipping fast-food queues and using sirens to avoid traffic. While the JCF High Command initially deemed the content damaging to the force’s reputation, the court found the disciplinary response legally unsound.

Specifically, the court invalidated actions taken by Deputy Commissioner Richard Stewart, who ordered the constable to undergo six months of confinement training at the National Police College of Jamaica—far exceeding the three-day maximum permitted under regulations. The ruling also condemned then-Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps for imposing duplicate punishment during an orderly room hearing in March, after the officer had already received sanctions for the same incident.

In her decisive judgment, Justice Tulloch-Reid declared that all illegitimate sanctions were quashed and that the officer had already fulfilled all legitimate penalties related to the video. The court further ordered each party to bear their own legal costs, establishing an important precedent regarding police disciplinary procedures and officers’ social media rights.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has issued a public health alert following the seizure of multiple cannabis vape cartridges on Thursday, identifying them as a high-risk emerging threat particularly targeting minors. The agency revealed these THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cartridges potentially contain poisonous chemical additives that pose serious health dangers.

CANU officials emphasized that these illicit vaping products expose users to dangerously high concentrations of THC alongside unknown chemical compounds, creating significant short-term and long-term health hazards. The seizure operation uncovered multiple branded THC cannabis vapes that represent an alarming shift toward importing high-potency cannabis concentrates disguised as consumer vaping products.

Notably, the confiscated items feature colorful, professionally printed packaging specifically designed to appeal to younger demographics, raising concerns about rapid proliferation among youth populations if circulation remains unchecked. The chemical composition and potential contaminants remain unknown, with samples currently earmarked for comprehensive laboratory analysis.

CANU clarified that under Guyana’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Cap 10:10, these substances remain completely illegal regardless of packaging, branding, or foreign “medical use” labels. The legislation explicitly classifies cannabis and its derivatives—including the cannabis plant, resin, extracts, tinctures, THC, and any THC-containing products—as controlled substances. This prohibition specifically encompasses live resin and THC vape oil as banned cannabis resins and extracts.

The agency stressed that possession, trafficking, importation, or sale of these products violates Guyanese law, and the “medical use only” labels hold no legal standing within the country. None of these labels correspond to approvals from the Guyana Food and Drug Department, local licensing authorities, Guyana Forensics Laboratory testing, or any legal cannabis framework in Guyana.

CANU’s early warning system actively monitors trends, packaging styles, chemical profiles, and trafficking patterns associated with concentrated cannabis products. Once flagged, this system generates alerts, provides guidance to frontline officers, and contributes actionable intelligence to national enforcement operations.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—An urgent nationwide appeal for blood donations has been issued by the Jamaica Police Federation following a critical incident involving one of their officers. Constable Kwasian Kirlew, a dedicated member of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), sustained severe injuries after being struck by a taxi operator last Friday afternoon at the Hope Road and Lady Musgrave Road intersection in St. Andrew.

The injured officer is currently undergoing intensive medical treatment at the University Hospital of the West Indies, where medical professionals have emphasized the critical need for immediate blood donations to support her recovery. The hospital’s medical team has formally declared an emergency requirement for blood supplies to facilitate Constable Kirlew’s urgent care needs.

Authorities are encouraging compassionate citizens to visit any of the island’s blood collection facilities, including the National Blood Bank or the University Hospital of the West Indies’ dedicated blood collection center. Donors are specifically requested to present their donation receipts to the University Hospital’s blood collection center to ensure proper tracking and allocation of resources toward Constable Kirlew’s medical treatment. This collective effort demonstrates community solidarity with law enforcement personnel during times of crisis.