ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Chambers Pen, Hanover, slated for major development

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, said that Chambers Pen in Hanover will benefit from a major developmental project.

"Coming up here, I really felt a sense of urgency as I could see for myself the challenges that this community faces," McKenzie said during a visit to the area last week.

"It was plain to see the neglect ... not one... not two ... not three ...but decades of neglect. As part of the Government's thrust of rural development, we have chosen Chambers Pen and will ensure that we provide all that we have committed to providing."

He said that Chambers Pen will benefit from extensive repairs and renovation of the Chambers Pen Primary and Infant School, and the Chambers Pen Basic School and the construction of four indigent housing solutions. He also said that other infrastructural projects would be undertaken.

"Rural electrification, through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, has come in and identified a number of households where they will be rewiring approximately 150 houses in the community to get them on to the Jamaica Public Service grid," the minister said.

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Illegal gun recovered in Steer Town

Three men have been charged in connection with the seizure of a Browning 9mm Pistol and a magazine containing two rounds of ammunition on Back Road, Steer Town in St Ann on January 29.

They are Clive Bradley, a 35- year- old construction worker of Highgate, St Mary; Damion Turner, a 35- year-old construction worker of Steer Town, St Ann, and Samory Richards, a 21-year-old mason of Steer Town, St Ann.

Reports from the St Ann police are that about 5:45 p.m, a police team was conducting a targeted raid at a premises in the community when the firearm was found hidden under a piece of zinc in the yard. All three men, who were occupying the premises at time, were subsequently charged.

Their court date is being finalised.

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Two more firearms off the streets

One man was arrested following a firearm seizure at Kew district, Hanover, on January 30.

Reports from the Lucea police are that about 6 a.m., a team of officers conducted an operation at a premises; one Sig Sauer P232 pistol and a magazine fitted with three .380 rounds of ammunition was seized.

The occupant was arrested; however, his identity is being withheld pending further investigations

In another case of a firearm recovery, the Kingston Central police seized a Browning 9mm Pistol along with a magazine containing three 9mm rounds of ammunition during a joint police-military operation on Kingston Lane in downtown Kingston yesterday.

Reports are that just after 6 a.m., lawmen were on an operation in the community when the cellar of a house was searched and the weapon found.

No one was taken into custody in connection with the find.

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Chuck wants life sentences for serious offences

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has urged the nation's judges to consider a life sentence for "all serious offences."

Chuck said that "people use inappropriate, unlawful, violent and murderous behaviour to set their arguments. This is something for the state to respond to."

"Criminals who behave in a heartless manner, who have no humanity in them, must be put away for a long time and depending on the mitigating or aggravating factors, [judges can] determine after how many years parole should be considered," he said.

"That is the way that we can send the emphatic message to criminals across Jamaica, that the state means business," Chuck said.

He was speaking during the National Service of Thanksgiving which signals the official start of Restorative Justice Week 2022. The service was held at the Boulevard Baptist Church in Kingston on Sunday.

He said that the ministry will be working to ensure that court cases are dealt with quickly by coordinating with the Restorative Justice centres across the island.

"Matters must be settled in a reasonable and timely manner because when they drag on for too long, people feel that the only alternative is to take it into their hands to get what they consider to be justice, but that is not justice," he said.