Phillips

The Government is to highlight its planned res-ponse to the upsurge of violence in the country when Minister of National Security Dr. Peter Phillips makes a comprehensive statement to the nation in less than two weeks.

The presentation is expected to outline the latest in a number of crime strategies unveiled by the Government. Despite a 20 per cent reduction in murders last year, it is felt that the Government's crime initiatives have failed to produce a significant dent in the country's most pressing concern.

Cabinet on Monday approved the newest strategy provided by Dr. Phillips, who met recently with the hierarchy of the security forces to come up with additional measures to tackle the escalating crime problem.

As part of the new initiative, the security forces are expected to receive more resources to boost their capacity to effectively carry out their duties.

Financial resources

The National Security Minister and Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, are to meet shortly to sign off on the financial resources needed to fund certain operations of the security forces for the remainder of the current financial year and for the new fiscal year.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Information Minister Donald Buchanan reported that Cabinet was satisfied with the efforts of the security forces in their drive to eliminate the increasing crime wave in Westmoreland and St. James.

He said other areas presented to Cabinet required legislative "strengthening of aspects of our crime-fighting capacity".