Dr. Elizabeth Ward, Chairman, Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA)

Damion Hutchinson, Executive Director, Peace Management Initiative (PMI)

Dr. Ward informed the meeting that homicide statistics in January 2014 were the lowest since the last eleven years.  She advised that the Jamaica Constabulary Force hosted a programme entitled “Operations Resilience”.  Also, the Peace Management Initiative, with funding from the Ministry of National Security, put on a programme called “The Rapid Response Programme” in the 24 communities with the highest level of violence.  Interventions were done by the Peace Management Initiative, by community policing and the churches.

Mr. Hutchinson mentioned that there were stories that were newsworthy but not being published.  MAJ advised that they were restricted by Defamation Laws.

The MAJ Chairman expressed concern that the “Unite For Change” campaign excluded Crime Stop which the VPA could address since they played a very important role in the campaign.