标签： Jamaica

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.

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.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — A comprehensive holiday relief initiative transformed Christmas for vulnerable residents in Westmoreland, one of the regions most severely affected by Hurricane Melissa’s October 2025 devastation. Spearheaded by A-List Marketing & Entertainment Group, the “Joy to the West” program delivered essential supplies and seasonal cheer through a multi-stop community engagement strategy.

The initiative represented phase two of the company’s ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, strategically blending disaster support with Christmas festivities. The program provided critical items including toys, educational materials, clothing, hygiene products, and refreshments to those facing continued hardship following the late October storm.

Corporate representatives executed a carefully orchestrated route across the parish, targeting specifically identified vulnerable groups. Their first destination was the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation’s Westmoreland branch, where they distributed baby supplies, sanitary products, water, and operational materials. In a gesture recognizing staff dedication, each employee received footwear as a Christmas gift.

The outreach continued at Llandilo School of Special Education, where students and educators received tailored support through educational supplies, toys, and hygiene items. This segment highlighted the program’s commitment to inclusive assistance for children with special needs and their support systems.

The initiative culminated at Cooke Street Sports Complex, which transformed into a vibrant community celebration space. Families experienced a festive atmosphere complete with bounce house entertainment, gift distributions, and comprehensive supply provisions—creating memorable moments of joy and collective healing.

Founder and Managing Director Nickeria Smickle emphasized the program’s dual purpose of providing material support while restoring dignity and hope. “Westmoreland was deeply impacted by Hurricane Melissa, and we felt a responsibility not just to give, but to show up with love, dignity and joy,” Smickle stated, noting the initiative serves as a reminder that communities aren’t forgotten during challenging times.

The company has committed to sustaining private sector support for Jamaica’s recovery, demonstrating corporate social responsibility through empathetic, presence-based action that addresses both immediate needs and long-term community resilience.

In an extraordinary display of resilience, William Knibb Memorial High School in Martha Brae, Trelawny, is proceeding with emergency reopening plans despite sustaining catastrophic damage estimated at $400 million from Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane’s fury left eight of the school’s nine buildings severely compromised, with widespread destruction of roofs, windows, furniture, and critical infrastructure.

Principal Linvern Wright has coordinated with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to secure eight large tents that will serve as temporary classrooms, enabling a phased reopening process. The educational institution will welcome back Grade 11 students and sixth formers on Monday, with the remaining student population expected to return by Thursday. The school serves approximately 1,100 students from grades seven through sixth form.

Innovative temporary measures include using plywood and tarpaulins in layered configurations to create weatherproof learning environments. ‘We cover it first with 3×8 ply, then cover it with tarpaulins and ensure that it is flat so that even if rain falls, the water goes off,’ Wright explained, emphasizing that these are not mere temporary fixes but carefully engineered solutions.

The damage assessment reveals comprehensive destruction extending beyond classrooms to administrative offices, where staff were forced to dry important documents outdoors after the administration block lost its roof. The $400 million preliminary estimate includes complete replacement of fencing alone, projected to cost approximately $2.8 million, alongside destroyed electrical systems, technological infrastructure, doors, and windows.

Wright highlighted the profound emotional impact on the school community, noting that many families have simultaneously experienced job losses due to hotel closures, home destruction, and personal tragedies. He expressed particular concern about ensuring students receive meals through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), recognizing that for some, school lunch might represent their only daily meal.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Wright stressed the critical importance of reopening for both academic recovery and psychological well-being. ‘They are not going to be 100 percent comfortable but we hope they’ll be 100 percent here…even just for the social and psychological well-being,’ he stated.

As president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Wright indicated that educational institutions across Trelawny are employing various strategies to resume operations safely. He warned of the ‘significant gaps in learning that you can’t compensate for’ when students miss instructional time, emphasizing that the long-term effects of extended closures would be dire for educational outcomes.

Grounds crews worked through Friday afternoon removing hazardous debris, loose zinc sheeting, and preparing the compound for the students’ return, symbolizing the community’s determination to restore normalcy despite unprecedented challenges.