Soldiers in the Mount Salem ZOSO – file photo
Opposition spokesman on Citizen Security Peter Bunting
The parliamentary opposition says it appears that the build phase of the Zones of Special Operations in Mount Salem in St. James is almost largely forgotten.
Under the ZOSO’s build phase, social development initiatives are to be rolled out aimed at providing education, training, economic opportunities and health care for residents.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, Opposition spokesman on Citizen Security Peter Bunting said it has been nearly eight years since Mount Salem has been declared a ZOSO.
He argued that the community should have long passed the clear and hold phases and be well advanced into the build phase, that will see it no longer requiring the ZOSO designation.
“The idea is not for a Zone of Special Operations to be a permanent designation for communities. The idea is that it clears it of the criminal gangs and the strong criminal activity and initial fears where there is saturation of security forces, police and military. Investments are made in the social infrastructure, so that by the time you hold while these investments are being made, and at the end of it when you are in the build phase, you no longer need saturation policing. It should be normal policing,” he reasoned.
Mount Salem was declared the first Zone of Special Operations in September 2017 due to rampant criminality, gang warfare, escalating violence and threat to the rule of law.
Last December, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang extended all seven zones of operation until June 23 this year.
Dr. Chang also said the authorities were looking at starting the process to wind down the Mount Salem ZOSO.
