标签： Jamaica

In an unusual procedural shift, judicial authorities barred press members from attending Wednesday’s court session for Tor McIntosh, the university student facing two counts of death by dangerous driving. The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court conducted the hearing in-camera, marking a departure from previous sessions where media observation had been permitted.

McIntosh stands accused in the tragic September 28, 2024 incident that claimed the lives of two men who had stopped to assist a stranded motorist. According to police reports, the fatal collision occurred approximately at 3:30 AM on Washington Boulevard in St Andrew. The victims, identified as 37-year-old Javaughn Rodney, a vehicle inspector from Spanish Town, St Catherine, and 50-year-old Mark Garrick of Kingston 20, were struck and killed while providing assistance to another driver experiencing vehicle difficulties.

The court’s decision to exclude journalists raises questions about transparency in high-profile legal proceedings. This development follows earlier reports that McIntosh had received relaxed bail conditions in connection with the case that has drawn public attention due to the victims’ altruistic actions prior to their deaths.

Judicial authorities have scheduled the next hearing for March 9, though no official explanation has been provided regarding the sudden change in media access policy for this ongoing legal matter.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s top law enforcement official has launched a vigorous defense of the police force’s body-worn camera initiative, categorically rejecting allegations of institutional resistance as deliberate falsehoods designed to mislead the public.

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake, in a sharply worded editorial published in the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) weekly Force Orders, expressed growing concern about what he characterized as coordinated efforts to create distorted narratives surrounding the implementation of the body-worn camera (BWC) program. The commissioner specifically addressed criticisms emerging in discussions about police-involved fatal shootings.

“I acknowledge those who build careers and reputations through dismantling institutional credibility and propagating negative stories,” Blake stated. “Our systematic approach will ultimately deprive them of the adverse coverage they depend on.”

Blake revealed that while he initially attempted to address misconceptions diplomatically, the persistent circulation of inaccurate information necessitated a more direct response. “Although I typically prefer diplomatic engagement, circumstances now demand unambiguous confrontation of these falsehoods,” he explained.

At the heart of the controversy lies critics’ long-standing assertion that infrastructure deficiencies have delayed full BWC deployment. The commissioner firmly refuted this claim, revealing that the necessary digital infrastructure has been operational since 2023, with current efforts focused exclusively on equipment procurement and strategic distribution.

The police leader referenced his previous public briefings, including an interview where he announced the JCF’s advanced procurement stage for 1,000 cameras. These units were delivered within weeks and have been largely deployed, with acquisition processes now underway for an additional 1,000 devices.

Blake suggested that the perpetuation of false narratives serves particular interests rather than genuine public concern. “Maintaining the fiction of JCF resistance to body-worn cameras reinforces certain commentators’ relevance while concealing their inadequate understanding of actual circumstances,” he remarked.

The commissioner positioned the BWC debate within broader criticism of what he described as an ‘economy of commentary’ that profits from portraying the police force as reform-resistant. He simultaneously dismissed claims that recent crime reduction resulted from improper police conduct, emphasizing that numerous firearm-related arrests occur annually without lethal force.

Concluding his statement, Blake called for redirected public discourse, urging advocacy groups to join appeals encouraging armed criminals to avoid confronting police officers. He additionally offered reassurances to frontline officers, promising unwavering leadership support for those operating within legal boundaries while protecting public safety.

In the face of artificial intelligence’s pervasive transformation of global employment landscapes, Jamaica’s apiculture sector is emerging as a bastion of irreplaceable human expertise. Dennis McKay, President of the St James Bee Farmers Association, has declared beekeeping among the professions least vulnerable to AI disruption, launching an ambitious youth education program to secure the industry’s future.

The association is implementing a comprehensive initiative featuring school visits and specialized training sessions throughout St James this year. This program aims to introduce younger generations to apiculture as both an economically viable and environmentally sustainable career path. “We’re developing structured school training programs through our committee,” McKay stated. “Our objective is to train emerging youth through these educational visits, teaching them the essentials of bee farming.”

The announcement coincided with the ceremonial handover of a wax foundation mill, valued at approximately J$200,000, to the association. This equipment was donated by the St James Municipal Corporation through the mayor’s charity fund, with the presentation occurring at the corporation’s Montego Bay offices.

McKay emphasized the unique resistance of hands-on agricultural professions to technological displacement during his address. “In this era of AI advancement, people must pursue occupations that technology cannot replicate,” he asserted. “Artificial intelligence cannot perform beekeeping tasks—AI doesn’t experience bee stings, but human beekeepers do,” he noted with pragmatic humor.

The association president outlined a vision where innovation and practical skill development form the cornerstone of Jamaica’s youth preparation for future economic realities. “We must adopt innovative, hands-on approaches to facilitate our younger generation’s advancement through the 21st century and beyond,” McKay explained. “Supporting the next generation through foundational work benefits not just ourselves, but the entire community.”

Beyond the educational initiative, the association plans to expand its community engagement through its annual Healthy Lifestyle Day event, potentially relocated to Harmony Beach Park this year. Traditionally hosted at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, this collaborative event with RADA and the St James Health Department focuses on strengthening local apiculture, recruiting new beekeepers, and promoting the health advantages of bee-derived products.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA — In a landmark corporate social responsibility initiative, Jamaican electronic payments provider JETS Limited has pledged J$100 million (approximately US$640,000) to hurricane recovery efforts through the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ). The substantial donation represents the largest single contribution in UWJ’s history and will be administered in two equal installments of J$50 million each.

The initial allocation has been designated to eight beneficiary organizations responding to Hurricane Melissa’s impact. Educational institutions feature prominently in the first tranche, with Belmont Academy receiving J$10 million, followed by St Elizabeth Technical High School (J$7.5 million), and five additional schools—William Knibb Memorial High, Hampton School, Black River High, Manning’s School—each receiving J$5 million. Mustard Seed Communities and UWJ’s agricultural relief program will also receive J$5 million respectively.

UWJ Board Chair Dr. Devon Smith praised JETS Limited’s unprecedented commitment during the late December handover ceremony. “This monumental contribution significantly advances our national restoration efforts, addressing both physical infrastructure and educational system resilience,” Smith stated.

JETS CEO Edmundo Jenez emphasized his organization’s sustained partnership with UWJ, which began in 2019. “United Way has proven to be a stalwart ally in extending our CSR program’s reach, particularly in education and healthcare sectors,” Jenez remarked, expressing confidence in UWJ’s stewardship of the funds.

The second J$50 million allocation will be distributed to additional recipients identified through ongoing needs assessments. UWJ has implemented comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure transparent utilization of resources across all beneficiary organizations.

As the New Year unfolds, many individuals experience a familiar cycle of burnout and disappointment when their ambitious resolutions remain unfulfilled. Shani McGraham Shirley, a prominent influencer, motivational speaker, and CEO of Yahsuh Fitbox, proposes a radical solution: discard the traditional concept of New Year’s resolutions entirely. McGraham argues that these grand annual commitments often set people up for failure, creating a psychological barrier that undermines long-term success.

McGraham’s approach doesn’t reject goal-setting altogether but rather advocates for a fundamental shift in methodology. Instead of waiting for January 1st to establish monumental objectives, she recommends implementing smaller, manageable goals throughout the year. This strategy leverages the psychological power of incremental achievements, where consistent small victories generate momentum and sustain motivation more effectively than infrequent major accomplishments.

The fitness expert emphasizes the critical role of positive self-talk and what she terms ‘the power of suggestion.’ Drawing an analogy to pregnancy awareness—where women suddenly notice expecting mothers and baby-related items everywhere after contemplating pregnancy—McGraham demonstrates how our minds selectively focus on what we verbally reinforce. By consistently articulating positive aspirations, we program our subconscious to recognize opportunities and resources that were previously overlooked.

Addressing procrastination, McGraham dismisses the notion of perfect timing, insisting that ‘the perfect time is now.’ She specifically advises against waiting for symbolic starting points like Monday mornings or new equipment, even suggesting beginning on a Wednesday to break psychological barriers associated with traditional starting points.

McGraham outlines three fundamental pillars for achievement: the art of showing up, consistency, and moderation. She stresses that personal accountability—showing up for oneself rather than others—forms the foundation of sustainable progress. Using fitness as an example, she contrasts sporadic intense workouts with regular moderate sessions, demonstrating how consistency outperforms occasional bursts of effort.

The motivational speaker cautions against ‘craven’ behavior—using Jamaican colloquialism for greed—in both dietary habits and goal-setting. Instead of overwhelming oneself with excessive targets, she advocates for measured, consistent steps that accommodate human limitations while maintaining progress.

Perhaps most innovatively, McGraham reframes failure as a valuable teachable moment rather than a setback. Drawing parallels to burpee exercises where dropping down and rising up builds strength, she encourages embracing failure as an essential component of growth and self-discovery. This perspective transforms the fear of failure into a motivational tool, ultimately creating more resilient and adaptable goal-pursuers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s House of Representatives engaged in substantive debate on Tuesday regarding the Jury (Amendment) Act 2026, which proposes a significant increase in juror compensation from $2,000 to $6,000 daily. The legislative amendments, spearheaded by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, have sparked discussions about the nature of jury service and its financial implications within the justice system.

The proposed legislation extends beyond empaneled jurors, offering $2,000 per day to individuals summoned for duty but not ultimately selected. This comprehensive approach to compensation marks the first stipend increase in over a decade, previously adjusted from $400 to $2,000 daily during Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s tenure as justice minister.

MP Marlene Malahoo Forte, representing St James West Central and a former attorney general, emphasized cross-party support for the increase while cautioning against misinterpretation of jury service fundamentals. “We should make it abundantly clear that we’re not paying citizens to serve as jurors,” she stated, explaining that the adjustment primarily addresses inflationary pressures and expense reimbursement rather than creating professional opportunities.

However, Opposition Leader Golding presented a contrasting interpretation, noting the compensation structure encompasses both time commitment and travel expenses. He highlighted that weekly earnings of $30,000 for five-day service would substantially exceed Jamaica’s minimum wage of $16,000 weekly, creating what he termed “a compendious payment” that inherently compensates for service time.

The debate revealed nuanced perspectives on civic responsibility versus financial practicality, with lawmakers acknowledging the necessity of adequate compensation while maintaining the fundamental voluntary nature of jury duty within Jamaica’s judicial framework.