Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency in St James, and businessman Joe Issa has given the thumbs up, joining the many voices who say the measure is warranted with some stating it is long awaited.
“I think the measure is a last resort; it is inconvenient for citizens, who will
also lose some of their rights, and it’s bad for business, but at the same time there are citizens and businesses to protect from a tiny minority of rampaging criminals, but with huge negative impact on both, as well as tourism on the west coast and perhaps the entire country. I am sure this would have been first and foremost in the mind of the prime minister in taking the decision.
“I am sure that the state of emergency in St James will cool things down as the criminals become dislocated and go into hiding. It will reduce fears in the parish and develop confidence in a brighter Jamaica,” said Issa.
The Gleaner reported that extraordinary powers have been given to the 
security forces, some rights have been suspended and can search places without a warrant.
It said the declaration coincided with an increase in violence including murders and shootings.
The latest incidents are said to have occurred three hours apart near the round-a-bout to the Sangster International Airport on Tuesday leaving one man dead and three others seriously hurt.
St James is said to have ended 2017 with a record 335 murders, that’s 66 more than reported in 2016.
From early this morning soldiers and police have been blanketing parts of St James carrying out searches, the paper reported.
In making the declaration this morning, Holness reportedly said that in as much as some rights have been suspended, the security forces were expected to be humane to all citizens.
Jamaica's Joey Issa Fights For What Is Right! 
Joe Issa Is About Being The Best While Having Fun, Not Competing For It https://boondoc33.wordpress.com/2017/12/05/joe-issa-is-about-being-the-best-while-having-fun-not-competing-for-it