Operations Disrupted at Two Parish Courts Due to Security Threats

KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Operations at the St Catherine Parish Court and the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court were significantly disrupted on Thursday as security threats prompted the evacuation of both buildings.

In Spanish Town, police and fire personnel responded to a security alert at the St Catherine Parish Court, leading to the evacuation of the courthouse and nearby buildings, including the St Catherine Municipal Corporation. Several roads in the vicinity were closed, and traffic was diverted as a precaution.

Litigants and court staff expressed frustration at the disruption. “Although it is not in our culture, you cannot ignore it, this is just crazy,” one litigant remarked.

This marks the third security-related disruption at the St Catherine Parish Court since the start of the year, raising concerns about the frequency of such incidents.

Simultaneously, operations at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court were halted as the police’s Bomb Squad was dispatched to investigate a bomb threat. Court employees and visitors were swiftly evacuated.

“All now me not sure what happened. We just heard there was a bomb threat and everybody run out,” a court employee said. A senior attorney added, “We were just kind of ushered out the building.”

The evacuations caused significant delays to court proceedings at both locations, leaving many litigants and attorneys uncertain about rescheduled hearings.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the source or validity of the threats at either location. Investigations are ongoing, with police urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

These incidents highlight growing concerns about security at key public institutions and the need for robust measures to ensure the safety of employees and the public.