分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shanika Crosdale, a former Deputy Head Girl at Edwin Allen High School in Clarendon, is calling on students to harness the power of social media for their academic and personal growth. Now a sixth-form student, Shanika emphasizes the importance of using platforms like TikTok and YouTube as educational tools rather than mere sources of entertainment. In an interview with JIS News, she highlighted the availability of online tutors, past papers, and other resources that can significantly aid in learning. Shanika, who excelled in all seven of her CSEC subjects, credits her success to the strategic use of social media. She urges students to balance their time between entertainment and education, ensuring they make the most of the opportunities available to them. Shanika also stresses the importance of honoring parental investments in education by focusing on academic achievements. Another student, Rickoy Thomas, who passed eight CSEC subjects, echoes this sentiment, advising students to remove distracting apps if they hinder their studies. The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information supports these efforts by providing online resources through its website and the e-Resources app, offering a wealth of learning materials for students, teachers, and parents. Additionally, the ministry collaborates with platforms like Google Play and BookFusion to provide approved digital reading materials and educational resources. Shanika and Rickoy’s insights underscore the potential of social media as a valuable educational tool when used responsibly.

A violent altercation in Bamboo Lawn, Lilliput, St James, has led to criminal charges against a 33-year-old man. Duran Adlam, a radio operator from Ocean Heights, Lilliput, is accused of wounding with intent following a brutal attack on Sunday, April 20. According to police reports, the incident occurred around 8:00 pm when the victim was ambushed by Adlam and a group of assailants. The attackers reportedly stabbed and beat the man, who managed to flee to avoid further harm. The suspects fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim with severe stab wounds to his face and head. Emergency services transported the injured man to the hospital, where he was admitted in serious but stable condition. Adlam was later apprehended by law enforcement and formally charged. Authorities are currently finalizing his court date as the investigation continues.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has identified a significant rise in fatalities during planned police operations (PPOs), attributing the trend to the increased deployment of Area Fugitive Apprehension Teams (AFATs). According to a Special Investigative Report tabled in the House of Representatives, AFATs, which accounted for less than 5% of PPO deployments and fatalities in 2022/23, now represent 50% of deployments and nearly half of all PPO-related deaths as of July 2025. This stark escalation contrasts sharply with 2019, when the disbandment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Mobile Reserve command coincided with the lowest fatality figures in recent history—86 fatal shootings and only 10 PPO-related deaths. Indecom’s data reveals a concerning trajectory: in 2022, AFATs were involved in 5% of PPOs, resulting in 31 deaths; by 2025, their involvement surged to 51% of PPOs, with 97 fatalities recorded in just seven months. The AFATs, a specialized unit targeting violent criminals across divisional boundaries, were established to address the mobility and networking of high-profile offenders. However, Indecom has raised alarms about the lack of modern forensic protocols during operations, noting that recovered firearms are often improperly handled, compromising evidence integrity. The commission also highlighted the disproportionate involvement of senior officers with prior fatal shooting incidents in PPOs, with 11 operations under their command flagged as suspicious. Indecom’s findings underscore the urgent need for improved oversight and forensic practices to mitigate the rising toll of PPO-related fatalities.

In a significant development in St James, Jamaica, law enforcement authorities have formally charged Shamara Forrester, also known as “Toots,” believed to be the mastermind behind a notorious robbery syndicate operating in the parish. Forrester, a resident of Railway Lane in Montego Bay, was apprehended on Sunday and initially charged with illegal possession of ammunition. Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, head of the St James police, revealed the details during the monthly council meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation.

In a series of intense incidents in St Catherine, Jamaica, two men were fatally shot on Thursday during alleged confrontations with law enforcement officers investigating Sunday’s quintuple murder in the Commodore district. The police reported that two illegal firearms were recovered during these encounters.

In a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting students in Manchester, Jamaica, the Friends of Porus (FOP) and Give Back Jamaica Inc (GBJ) recently joined forces to organize the Kicker’s Club Shoe Drive. This collaborative effort successfully raised over $500,000, which was used to purchase much-needed school shoes for students across the parish. The annual back-to-school shoe drive, which primarily benefits primary school students, expanded its reach this year to include Porus High School, following the discovery that several of its students were in dire need of support. Vassell Ogilvie, Vice President of FOP and board member of GBJ, highlighted the decision to include the high school, stating that it was made after discussions with Porus High’s principal, Marlene Murray. The initiative traces its origins to Dr. Eve Richardson, founder and CEO of Give Back Jamaica, who, inspired by her own childhood struggles, launched the Kicker’s Club Shoe programme in September 2021. Since its inception, the programme has grown significantly, thanks to the generous contributions of donors such as the Signature Society, Hudson Valley Dynamic Counselling, and other charitable entities. This year, the initiative benefited students from several schools, including Porus Primary, Broadleaf Primary, Ramble Primary, Harmons Primary, St Jago Primary, and Castle Primary. Ogilvie expressed gratitude to the Signature Society, particularly its CEO and president, Sephron Mair, for their continued support, which enabled 80 students to participate in the shoe drive. Additional donations were also received from various law offices and counseling services, further bolstering the programme’s impact.

The Text Lane community in Kingston Central, Jamaica, once celebrated as a haven of peace, was thrust into turmoil on Tuesday night when gunmen targeted a group of predominantly women and children, leaving six injured. Among the victims were two young children and a teenager with special needs. This shocking incident marked the second violent attack in the area within a week, following a mass shooting in Commodore, Linstead, St. Catherine, which claimed five lives, including a four-year-old child. Member of Parliament Donovan Williams, who visited the scene on Wednesday, expressed profound distress over the tragedy, describing it as ‘inexplicable terrorism.’ He emphasized that the community had been enjoying a year of relative calm and a significant reduction in violent crimes. According to police reports, the assailants opened fire from a moving vehicle around 8:45 PM, targeting individuals gathered outside a premises before fleeing the scene. Williams pledged support for the affected families, many of whom are still recovering in hospitals. The father of two injured minors shared his anguish, condemning the attackers for their disregard for innocent lives. Another resident, who witnessed the incident, expressed fear and trauma, lamenting the return of violence to a community that had begun to heal. Williams called for swift justice, urging the police to apprehend the perpetrators and restore a sense of safety to the community.

David Cole, son of the legendary Jamaican footballer Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, cherishes countless memories of his father, but one culinary experience stands out vividly. ‘My fondest memory is when he took me to a spot to eat steamed fish with turn cornmeal and red peas…a recipe I’ll always remember,’ David shared with Observer Online. Allan Cole, widely regarded as Jamaica’s greatest footballer, passed away on September 9 at the age of 74 due to multiple organ failure at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew. Beyond his football prowess, Cole was a close friend and manager of reggae icon Bob Marley. Like Marley, who died in 1981, Cole’s funeral service will be held at the National Arena in Kingston on October 11. Preceding the funeral, events celebrating his life will take place at House of Dread in his hometown of Vineyard Town on October 9, followed by a tribute from the Twelve Tribes of Israel at their Hope Road headquarters on October 10. David anticipates a significant turnout at these events, given his father’s monumental contributions to sports, arts, culture, and mentorship. ‘He was a trailblazer, doing things way ahead of his time both on and off the field,’ David remarked. ‘He’s a natural mentor, nurturer, always seeking to steer individuals and entities to high standards and excellence.’ Allan Cole’s legacy extends beyond football. Born in Kingston, he was a prodigy who represented Jamaica at just 15 years old. He excelled as an attacking midfielder and striker for Vere Technical High School, Santos, and Boys’ Town in the Major League. Internationally, he played for the Atlanta Chiefs in the North American Soccer League and Nautico in Brazil. In music, Cole managed Bob Marley, including his final U.S. tour in 1980, and is credited as the writer of ‘War,’ a track from Marley’s 1976 album ‘Rastaman Vibration.’ David, a 53-year-old audio engineer who has toured with Grammy winner Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, is the fourth of Allan Cole’s six children. His mother, Judy Mowatt, is a member of The I Three, Marley’s harmony trio.