Army base for Wareika Hills - PM takes tough anti-crime stance

An army base will be built in East Kingston as part of the government's strategy to target gangs and gangsters who have been unleashing mayhem on the country.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in Parliament on Thursday that more than 100 acres of hilltop lands have been given to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for the creation of a special operations base.

"This is a strategic location from which the JDF can take control of that mountain range, and conduct a range of operations in support of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) and other national security goals. This is the first of many more to come," Holness said.

The tough-talking prime minister said that he is determined to ensure that criminals do not feel that they have control and are out of the reach of law enforcement.

Holness, who was speaking in the Budget Debate, said that the Government has remained unwavering in its strategic focus and resolve to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs, interdict dons and gunmen, and confiscate every illegal gun in Jamaica.

"The failure to take meaningful and targeted action against Jamaica's biggest threat, the illegal gun, by successive governments is having lasting consequences for us today," the prime minister said.

He reeled off lyrics from Anthony Red Rose' Tempa, singing: ' Cyaan seh mi never warn you' as he signalled to criminals that his administration is serious about ridding the country of every illegal gun.

"The message we are putting forward is directed, especially at our young men, those facilitators of illegal weapons; who hide these weapons or as they say, 'lock them', who sell them or rent them, who carry them or courier them. The trigger pullers who use them, the shottas. I am sending a message to those who hang around the gunmen, the girlfriends, babymothers, sisters and mothers who give them cover and protection. Give up the gun!," Holness said.

"If you have an illegal gun, we will find it and the consequences if you are connected with it, will be grim. Finally, to mothers and family members of those young men who have illegal guns, talk to your sons and deliver the warning to them, discourage them. Help them to give up the gun. Tell us where it is and let us find it and get it out of your life," Holness said.