State of Public Emergency Declared in St. Catherine North

Kingston, Jamaica: A State of Public Emergency (SOE) has been declared in the St. Catherine North Police Division following a recent surge in violence in the region.

The declaration comes in response to the escalating unrest in Spanish Town and surrounding communities, which began after the fatal police shooting of reputed One Order Gang leader Othneil Lobban, also known as ‘Thickman’, last Wednesday.

Lobban’s killing sparked widespread protests and violent clashes in the area, with residents blocking roads and engaging in confrontations with law enforcement.

The SOE, which came into effect on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, will allow security forces to implement enhanced measures to restore order and ensure public safety.

The boundaries of the SOE have been clearly defined:

• 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 33 kilometres 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 five kilometres to the PJ Patterson Highway.
• WEST: Thence extending generally in a north-westerly direction for approximately 19 kilometres at a bearing of approximately 307 degrees to where the communities of Old Harbour, Rock River and Bellas Gate 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 have appealed for the public’s cooperation as security forces intensify their operations to maintain order and protect the lives and livelihoods of all law-abiding citizens.