State of Emergency Declared in St. Catherine

Press Release From OPM

His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica, in consultation with the security forces, has declared a State of Public Emergency for the geographical area comprising the St. Catherine North Police Division effective today, Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

The St. Catherine North Police Division, especially Spanish Town and surrounding areas, remains volatile following last week’s unrest. As a result, the security forces have requested immediate intervention to address the escalating threat to public safety and prevent further destabilization.

The boundaries of the State of Public Emergency in the St. Catherine North Division are defined as follows:

East: Starting in the vicinity of Windsor Castle and Carron Hall and extending south-easterly along the common boundary for the parishes of St Catherine, St Mary, and then St. Andrew to Rock Hall. 

South: Thence generally in a south-westerly direction for approximately 33km at a bearing of approximately 219 degrees to where the communities of Cromarty, Bushy Park and Old Harbour Road meet. Continuing in a northerly direction for approximately 5km to the P.J. Patterson Highway. Thence extending generally in a north-westerly direction for approximately 19km at a bearing of approximately 307 degrees to where the communities of Old Harbour, Rock River and Bellas Gate meet.

West: Continuing in a northerly direction along the common boundary between the parishes of St Catherine and Clarendon to where the parish boundaries of Clarendon, St Catherine and St Ann meet.

North: Thence generally easterly along the shared boundary of the parishes of St Catherine, St Ann and then St Mary, back to the starting point.

The Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff are appealing to the public for their full cooperation as the security forces intensify their operations and protect the lives and livelihoods of all law-abiding residents.

The Government of Jamaica will continue to implement policies and programmes to build a peaceful Jamaica, providing a safe and secure environment for its citizens.

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