分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have escalated weather warnings as a major Caribbean weather system threatens widespread disruption. The Meteorological Service has activated a flash flood watch covering multiple parishes including St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, and Manchester. This alert remains in effect until 7:00 am Monday.

The emergency measures respond to a developing meteorological crisis originating from a broad trough currently dominating the central Caribbean. This system has generated significant atmospheric instability across the island nation since Saturday evening, with weather radar and satellite data confirming sustained precipitation patterns.

Current meteorological assessments indicate moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, primarily affecting eastern and south-central regions during the early hours of Sunday. Weather experts predict these conditions will intensify and expand geographically throughout Sunday afternoon and evening, eventually covering the entire island.

The Met Service’s extended forecast indicates that residual showers will persist through Monday afternoon across most parishes, prolonging flood risks. Marine safety authorities have simultaneously issued navigational warnings for fishing vessels and commercial maritime operations, particularly along the south coastline where sea conditions are rapidly deteriorating near storm activity zones.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican law enforcement community gathered in solemn tribute on Saturday to honor the life and service of retired Deputy Superintendent Clarence Stephenson Bailey. Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew hosted the homegoing service attended by active and retired members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, alongside family members and close friends.

Mr. Bailey, who passed away on December 1, 2025, just short of his 66th birthday, dedicated forty years of exemplary service to the force since enrolling in 1980. His distinguished career spanned multiple critical divisions within the police service.

Senior Superintendent Damion Manderson delivered the official tribute from the Police Commissioner, expressing profound condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the St Andrew South Division. He detailed Bailey’s extensive service across specialized units including the Intelligence Branch (Narcotics), Criminal Investigation Branch, Mobile Reserve Branch, Security Flying Squad, Organised Crime and Investigation Division, and Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch.

“Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bailey demonstrated unwavering integrity, exceptional courage, and professional excellence,” Manderson stated. “His contributions significantly enhanced national security and public safety protocols. In recognition of his distinguished service and impeccable conduct, he was awarded the Medal of Honour for Long Service and Good Conduct on December 31, 2005.”

Additional personal reflections were shared by Dennis Hickey, Bailey’s former batchmate, highlighting their shared experiences and Bailey’s personal character. Deputy Superintendent Coralee Brown-Fowler delivered the formal eulogy, capturing both the professional dedication and personal virtues of the deceased.

The service concluded with interment at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens. Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife Lorraine, five children—Hakeem, Anita, Lotoya, Jermaine, and Scereisa—as well as his sister and three brothers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation following the grim discovery of a deceased male on Half Way Tree Road in the early hours of Sunday morning. Law enforcement personnel swiftly established a security perimeter around the affected section of the roadway as forensic examinations commenced.

Preliminary reports indicate the discovery occurred approximately at 8:30 a.m. when an alert pedestrian noticed the remains and immediately notified local law enforcement. The prompt response resulted in multiple police units converging on the location to secure the area and initiate investigative protocols.

The Kingston Central Police Division has assumed control of the ongoing operation, though officials have yet to release formal identification of the deceased or speculate on potential circumstances surrounding the incident. Crime scene technicians continue to process evidence while detectives conduct preliminary interviews with potential witnesses in the vicinity.

This development has generated significant attention in the Half Way Tree area, with local residents expressing concern over the incident. Police commissioners have assured the public that all necessary resources are being deployed to determine the facts surrounding this case, with additional updates expected as the investigation progresses.

For 39-year-old Sherdan Carr, surviving two years of homelessness in Jamaica’s capital has become a nightly battle for safety. He describes an existence where finding secure rest often means scaling buildings to sleep on rooftops, a desperate measure to avoid violent attacks that have become commonplace on Kingston’s streets.

Carr’s account reveals a harrowing reality where homeless individuals face perpetual threat, even from children, with incidents of rock-throwing and machete attacks occurring regularly. He recounts witnessing a Rastafarian man having his head bashed with stones while sleeping just weeks before Christmas, and speaks of another elderly man who had his throat slashed during a robbery.

Despite the brutality, Carr maintains hope for his future while advocating for systemic change. He identifies shelters as potentially dangerous environments where theft among residents is common and conditions often worse than the streets. His testimony suggests that improved shelter security and better facilities could encourage more homeless individuals to seek refuge indoors.

The scale of violence is substantiated by official records showing that between January 2021 and April 2023, twelve homeless people were subjected to extreme violence across multiple parishes, with eight incidents occurring in Kingston alone. Only one victim survived these attacks.

Government officials acknowledge the problem while claiming progress. Delroy Williams, State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, recently reported a significant reduction in abuse cases against homeless individuals. He made these remarks during World Homeless Day observances in October, emphasizing ongoing appeals to citizens to cease victimizing vulnerable populations.

The situation has created survival strategies among Kingston’s estimated 3,000 homeless residents, including sleeping in shifts with lookouts posted for protection. Both Carr and another street-dweller, Teleta Allen, confirm that stone-throwing attacks have become almost recreational for some perpetrators, highlighting the profound vulnerability of those living without shelter in Jamaica’s urban centers.

The Jamaican parish of St Elizabeth has been plunged into a state of heightened security following two separate fatal shootings over the weekend, prompting authorities to declare an immediate 48-hour curfew in the affected Crawford district.

The violence commenced on Friday evening at approximately 9:00 PM when Albert Smith was fatally shot by armed assailants while attending a social gathering in the Crawford district. In response to this homicide, local law enforcement moved swiftly to implement a curfew, effective from 6:00 PM Saturday, January 3rd, through 6:00 PM Monday, January 5th.

Despite these security measures, a second murder occurred on Saturday night at around 10:00 PM in the parish capital of Black River. Forty-seven-year-old Basil Bruce was reportedly at a residence in the New Town area with a family member when two armed gunmen opened fire, resulting in his death.

The curfew boundaries encompass a defined perimeter: extending south along the coastline from Galleon Beach to a cul-de-sac, east along Crawford Main Road from the Primary School to another cul-de-sac at Galleon Beach, north from a cul-de-sac to the Crawford main road near the primary school, and west along an imaginary line back to the starting point.

These incidents mark the parish’s first two homicide cases of the new year, raising significant concerns about community safety and the effectiveness of security protocols in the region. Local authorities continue their investigations into both shootings while maintaining heightened police presence throughout the curfew period.