Mns sectoral presentation 2026

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope. Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, OJ, CD, MP Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace April 21, 2026 Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace April 21, 2026

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope. P R E S E N T A T I O N 2026 SECTORAL DEBATE Theme: Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION: FROM CRISIS TO CONTROL SECTION 3: INVESTMENTS & CORPORATE REVIEW SECURITY CAPITAL INVESTMENT 7 THE POLICE: STRENGTHENING CAPACITY, PRESENCE, AND LEADERSHIP 8 TECHNOLOGY AND MODERNISATION OF POLICING 10 FORENSICS, SCIENCE, AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICING 11 INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING 12 LEGISLATION AND STRATEGIC ENFORCEMENT 14 CORRECTIONS: REHABILITATION, REINTEGRATION, AND TRANSFORMATION 15 BORDER SECURITY: PROTECTING OUR FRONTIERS 17 STRONG INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE 18 SECTION 4: RESULTS OF INVESTMENTS EFFECTS OF INVESTMENTS ON MURDER AND LIVES SAVED 19 EFFECTS OF INVESTMENTS ON FIREARM RECOVERIES 21 EFFECTS OF INVESTMENTS ON MURDER TO ARREST RATIO 22 CIVIL SOCIETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 23 ROLES OF CITIZENS IN CRIME REDUCTION 24 SECTION 5: PEACE THAT ENDURES DEFINING OF THE PEACE DIVIDEND 24 BUILDING THE NEW ECOSYSTEM OF PEACE 25 A LIFE-CYCLE APPROACH: FROM BEFORE BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD 26 THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION 28 KEEPING THE PEACE 28 FROM ZOSO TO ZONES OF PEACE AND OPPORTUNITY 29 ENGENDERING THE PEACE 30 SECTION 6: CLOSING

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Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 5 Madam Speaker, T oday, I rise with gratitude and a deep sense of service for the ninth time in this Sectoral Debate, as Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister. Peace has been introduced to the Ministry due to the success we are having with crime reduction. Each year in this Honourable House, I am reminded of the strength of the Jamaican people, even in the face of challenges. That strength inspires me, gives me hope and compels me to continue this work with purpose and resolve. It reminds us that our duty must always be anchored in service to the people, guided not by party colours, but by our shared responsibility to every Jamaican. We bear a solemn charge to act with courage, integrity and purpose as we shape the future of our nation. The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa tested many of our communities. Homes were damaged and livelihoods disrupted, but the Jamaican spirit did not break. As recovery continues, we remain committed to ensuring that no community is left behind. I commend the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) , and the wider public service. They are not only guardians of public safety; they are the steady hands that our nation depends on in its most difficult moments. That level of sacrifice speaks not just to duty, but to a deep and enduring commitment to country. I acknowledge the leadership of our Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP , whose steady guidance continues to provide direction and confidence during times of great challenge and uncertainty. I thank my colleagues in Cabinet for their continued partnership and collaboration, and I extend special appreciation to Minister of State Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn , an Olympian who has run the race for Jamaica on the world stage and continues that journey in service to her country. She brings that same spirit of determination to the Ministry, carrying out her responsibilities with quiet strength, unwavering commitment, and a deep sense of national duty. I recognise the dedicated team within the Ministry, led by Permanent Secretary Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe , including the technical and administrative staff, who work tirelessly to deliver on our mandate. It is a privilege to work alongside our national security departments and agencies, which include the JCF, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM), the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA), and the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) . I commend their leadership and staff for their unwavering commitment to building a safer Jamaica.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 6 I express my deepest gratitude to my wife and children for their constant support. I thank my medical team for their exceptional care and attention and the members of the public for their prayers and well-wishes during my recent recovery. I am equally grateful to my colleagues in this Honourable House, on both sides. Your encouragement and understanding never wavered, even in my absence. Although I did not have the opportunity to speak with each of you individually, your goodwill was deeply felt and sincerely appreciated. Finally, I thank the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence. Their support continues to guide my service. Madam Speaker , the Prime Minister has outlined a clear vision for Jamaica’s future, grounded in resilience, unity and progress. Today, I rise to build on that vision. I will outline how we are strengthening peace, enhancing safety, and driving transformation across our communities. Madam Speaker , prior to the year the Andrew Holness-led administration took office in 2016, Jamaica was on an upward trajectory of escalating gang activity and violent crime. These trends continued into 2017, when the country recorded one of its highest homicide rates, 60 per 100,000, with 1,647 murders . This level of violence far exceeded the capacity of normal policing. Public trust in the police and the Government was low, and the simple dream of citizens sleeping with their doors open at night was an admirable aspiration. When we came into office, many communities were under the grip of gangs, defined by violence, intimidation, and “donmanship.” Then we made a decision . We decided that Jamaica would not surrender to criminality. We made it clear that gangs would not operate freely or comfortably in this country, and that crime would carry consequences; swift and certain .

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 7 Despite criticism, scepticism and constant pressure, we remained focused, ‘locked in’ and stayed the course. We committed to doing the difficult work required to restore order and rebuild safety. That is the foundation of our legacy. And today, we are building on that foundation . Security Capital Investment Madam Speaker , since 2016, we have made sustained and unprecedented investments in national security. On average, we have committed approximately J$10 billion annually in capital expenditure. Despite the various economic shocks that we have had to confront over the period, we have remained disciplined and unwavering in that policy direction. This level of investment is far greater than any previous period in our history and reflects a deliberate strategy to build a modern, capable, and responsive security architecture. I want to commend the administrative leadership of the Central Ministry, led by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Technical Directors, for the work behind the scenes to help facilitate this level of capital expenditure. The Ministry has moved from spending, on average, J$3 billion on capital expenditure each year, to where it is now, with close to J$20 billion spent in one year alone (FY 2019/2020) . The Ministry’s experience in managing this level of capital expenditure is what will help to ensure the sustainability of the results we are currently experiencing.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 8 The Police: Strengthening Capacity, Presence, and Leadership We have significantly strengthened the capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Since 2018 , we recruited and trained approximately 7,100 police officers. This expansion has allowed for more effective deployment, the establishment of specialised units, increased police presence in communities, and the advancement of proximity policing. We have strengthened leadership and supervision within the Force. Since 2024 , some 2,250 police officers, including over 250 Gazetted ranks, have been promoted to fill critical vacancies and to support our policy to expand and professionalise the Officer Corps. In addition, we have invested heavily in mobility and operational readiness. Since 2016 , we have procured just under 2,000 motor vehicles at a cost of approximately J$7.5 billion , expanding and modernising the police fleet.

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Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 10 This increased kinetic capacity has enabled the JCF to significantly strengthen its road policing activities. Through the use of National Coordinated Roadblocks (NCRBs) in all divisions, the police have been effective in disrupting the movement of illegal firearms, apprehending criminals, and supporting traffic enforcement. Technology and Modernisation of Policing Madam Speaker , we are making targeted, strategic investments to build a modern police force, driven by technology, powered by data and anchored in accountability. Among all agencies of Government, the JCF has demonstrated some of the most significant progress in modernising its processes and operations. This Administration has fundamentally transformed the Force into a more capable, technology-enabled institution. • We are transforming traffic enforcement through digital technology. In 2026, the Ministry will provide an additional 1,500 e-ticketing devices, bringing the total to 10,000 devices . This places the JCF closer to a full transition to digital ticketing.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 11 • The implementation of the Ticket Information Management System (TIMS) has significantly strengthened accountability in traffic enforcement. This has contributed to a 33 per cent reduction in road traffic fatalities as at April 6, 2026, compared to the corresponding period last year. • We are strengthening the JamaicaEye national CCTV surveillance network by expanding the number of cameras to 3,000 over the medium term to enhance national coverage and real-time monitoring. • We have acquired body-worn cameras and they have been deployed across the island. Forensics, Science, and Evidence-Based Policing Madam Speaker , modern policing must be grounded in science. Over the years, we have made the investment to upgrade and expand our forensic capabilities. This includes the opening of the largest forensic pathology autopsy suite in our history, significantly enhancing our capacity for evidence collection, forensic analysis, and investigative support. These investments have strengthened law enforcement’s ability to solve crimes, secure convictions, and to deliver justice through evidence-based policing.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 12 With the state-of-the-art Forensic Pathology Autopsy Suite expected to receive its first case by June 2026 , we anticipate that post-mortem wait times will move from weeks and months to no more than 10 days . Our ultimate goal is to achieve the international standard of conducting post-mortems within four days of death. Infrastructure and Institutional Strengthening Madam Speaker , a modern police force must be supported by modern infrastructure. Since 2019, the Ministry has spearheaded the Project Rebuild , Overhaul, and Construct (ROC) initiative, systematically upgrading and renovating all police facilities nationwide following rigorous engineering assessments. Notwithstanding the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which hit the economy very hard and affected our resource base, there are currently over J$30 billion active investments in infrastructure strengthening for the JCF. These are firm commitments – not pipe dream projects . In terms of physical infrastructure, a number of projects are set for completion over the medium term. These include: • The Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters, to be completed by December 2026. • The St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters, which is expected to be more than 60% complete by the end of Fiscal Year 2026/2027.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 13 • The replacement of five (5) police stations with brand new facilities – Bull Bay, Cave Valley, Mocho, Granville, and Amity Hall . These projects are currently in the pre-construction stage. • The JCF Specialised Operations West in Montego Bay, St. James, projected to cost about J$10 billion , has received Cabinet’s approval for inclusion in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) . We will be going to tender for a contractor by the end of this month. Like many of our citizens, the police force was not spared the battering from Hurricane Melissa and we are restoring quickly. In response to the devastation, the Ministry launched the JCF Accelerated Infrastructure Restoration Plan (AIRP) . This targeted intervention is designed to rapidly secure and restore critical policing infrastructure in the affected areas. I am pleased to report that works are currently underway to restore 17 of the most severely impacted facilities, including the police stations at Mount Salem, Montego Hills, Bluefields, Siloah, New Market, and Bethel Town , among others.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 14 Legislation and Strategic Enforcement Madam Speaker , we have strengthened the legislative and operational framework that underpins national security. In 2022, we enacted the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022 , marking a decisive shift in our response to illegal firearms. This legislation was carefully examined and advanced through the Joint Select Committee of Parliament, reflecting broad deliberation and national consensus. This law introduced some of the toughest penalties in our history, including mandatory minimum sentences, and has strengthened the ability of law enforcement to disrupt trafficking networks and remove illegal weapons from our streets. In short order we will table new amendments to the house to make this legislation stronger. We have complemented this with stronger anti-gang measures and a greater focus on intelligence-driven operations, ensuring that enforcement is not only robust but strategic and targeted. This approach was further strengthened in 2024, when the range of offences that may be investigated by MOCA was expanded, empowering the Agency to more effectively pursue and dismantle organised crime networks operating across multiple serious offences. These are not merely block and steel structures. They represent the Government’s firm commitment to investing in the country’s development that ensure continued peace, goodwill, good order, resilience and a strong infrastructure.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 15 The legislative strengthening has been reinforced by decisive operational tools, through short-term targeted interventions such as the SOE. This disrupts organised criminal activity and restores order in communities experiencing high violence. On that side, they said SOEs would not work, but we are now reaping the benefits. At the same time, through the Zones of Special Operations , we have implemented a structured approach built on the principles of clear, hold, and build, reinforced by Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, ensuring that we not only suppress crime, but that we also redesign environments and strengthen communities to prevent its return. The next phase of our legislative priorities for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 includes: • Completing amendments to the Aliens Act , the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act , and the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act ; • Tabling the National Policy Against Trafficking in Persons as a Green Paper; • Tabling the National Visa Policy as a White Paper; • Tabling the Crime Prevention through Social Transformation Policy as a Green Paper; • We will use the new Corrections Policy developed by the Ministry to guide amendments to the Corrections Act , which will soon be tabled in the House. With a comprehensive, consultative framework already in place, Fiscal Year 2026/2027 will focus on implementation through legislative and operational reforms. These legislative priorities are designed to reinforce the strong institutional and operational framework we have built, ensuring that the gains we have made are secured in law and sustained over the long term. Corrections: Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Transformation Successes Madam Speaker , I turn now to Corrections. We are not only investing in crime-fighting measures, we are investing in people , and we are transforming our correctional system at an unprecedented pace. We are ensuring that wards of the state and inmates are given real opportunities for growth, development and transformation. Wards in our juvenile facilities are now being assessed, guided and trained for the future . They are learning trades, building confidence, and even stepping into fields including coding and robotics. This is transformation in action, turning correction into opportunity and rehabilitation into real second chances.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 16 This builds on earlier efforts at the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Centre, where a recording studio is fostering creativity, expression, and personal development. Child Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Strategy Madam Speaker , we are advancing a bold Child Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Strategy. This is grounded in a more humane and forward-looking vision of justice by the Administration. It recognises that children in conflict with the law require guidance, not punishment. These efforts are already delivering measurable results. In 2025, the recidivism rate declined from 41 per cent to 27 per cent, reflecting meaningful progress in offender reintegration. For the first time in recent history, we are recording this significant reduction in recidivism . The Department’s agricultural training is not only for reintegration, but has made the prison self-sufficient in egg, poultry and pork production, building discipline, skills and a culture of productivity. We Transform Programme Through the We Transform Programme, we are strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration through strategic partnerships. At the South Camp Juvenile Correctional and Remand Centre, we have established a modern sewing laboratory delivering structured, industry-aligned training in garment construction and design.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 17 Border Security: Protecting Our Frontiers Madam Speaker , we have significantly strengthened our borders, not only by intercepting threats, but by modernising how we manage the movement of people and goods. Through enhanced intelligence, advanced cargo scanning, and risk-based targeting systems, our border security agencies continue to disrupt transnational criminal networks and prevent the entry of illegal firearms and narcotics. At the same time, we are improving the experience for legitimate travellers. Through the Passport , Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) , we have advanced the ease and efficiency of processing at our airports, reducing wait times and streamlining entry procedures. In close partnership with Jamaica Customs, we are strengthening coordination across our ports of entry, ensuring that our borders are both secure and efficient. We are moving to introduce new technologies that will further modernise our airport systems , enhancing both security and service delivery. This is how we protect our frontiers while facilitating safe and seamless travel.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 18 • Skills training and certification for at-risk youth through HEART/NSTA Trust; • The construction of two domestic violence shelters ; • The establishment of a Child and Adolescent Guidance and Therapeutic Wellness Centre in Montego Bay; and • The rollout of the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy across 37 schools in and around the ZOSOs. Madam Speaker , we have successfully closed Phase One of the CSP, which began in 2020. We now move to Phase Two, supported by €8.8 million in funding through FY2028/2029. Building on the lessons of Phase One, we are strengthening what works and expanding our reach. The CSP will now extend beyond the ZOSOs to vulnerable communities under the Community Renewal Programme , while deepening psychosocial support and case management services. These results reflect stronger institutions, improved coordination, and growing confidence from our development partners. Unlike interventions such as the SOE, which deliver strong immediate reductions in crime, the CSP drives sustained community transformation beginning with the individual . These efforts will be scaled up in Phase Two. These investments are delivering long-term results, and there is more good news to come. Strong International Partnership and Programme Performance Madam Speaker , building on the social prevention pillar of Plan Secure Jamaica, the Citizen Security Plan (CSP) remains our primary vehicle for delivering the peace dividend to our communities. Supported by the European Union and the UK’s Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) Programme , the CSP has delivered targeted investments in governance, infrastructure, and social intervention, including: • Strengthened oversight through the Citizen Security Business Group; • The establishment of safe spaces in vulnerable communities; • The upgrading of police stations;

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 19 Effects of Investments on Murder and Lives Saved Madam Speaker , As a result of these investments, in 2025, Jamaica recorded 674 murders, marking the first time in over 32 years that murders have fallen below 700 . • We are now on the threshold of achieving another historic low. The first quarter of this calendar year has already recorded a significant 29 per cent decline in murders compared to the corresponding period last year. • In fact, the last two quarters have been the lowest on record since the police began collecting structured, disaggregated crime data some 25 years ago – Q4 of 2025 with 153, and Q1 of this year (2026) with 134.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 20 • That represents an average of 374 Jamaicans each year who are alive today because of these interventions. • Shootings and other violent crimes are down following the same trend as murder. We must express our sincere gratitude to our international partners who have worked closely with us over the years. They deserve recognition for their invaluable human and technical support. Without these actions and investments, Jamaica would have continued on a trajectory that could have made us one of the most unsafe places to live in the world. We changed that path. We were always confident that disciplined execution would bring us to a tipping point – where results would not only come, but would come with greater speed and impact. This is the result of sustained investment in the police, technology and human capital of the JCF and the wider Ministry. • Between 2017 and 2025, just under 3,000 lives have been saved. The grey area on the graph below shows the region of murder avoided and the lives saved.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 21 Effects of Investments on Firearm Recoveries Madam Speaker , two key drivers of this progress have been the strengthening of intelligence-led policing and case investigation. Firearm recoveries have reached record levels, with 1,076 weapons seized in 2025 alone. The majority of these are pistols, which are the primary weapons used in murder. This demonstrates both the scale of the threat and the precision of our response. • In recent times, as firearm recoveries have increased, violence has declined. • In 2011 , on average, we recovered about 44 firearms for every 100 murders committed in the country. A ratio of 4 to 10 . • By 2024 , that had risen to 73 firearms for every 100 murders or roughly a ratio of 7 to 10 . • By 2025 , we are recovering, on average, 3 firearms for every two murders being committed. That is a ratio of 15 to 10 . This shows clear evidence that enforcement is now getting ahead of violent crime.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 22 • This level of performance signals a major breakthrough, driven by stronger intelligence, better coordination, and a more effective national response. With a transformed Jamaica Constabulary Force and deeper collaboration with MOCA, PICA, and the Jamaica Customs Agency, we are disrupting criminal networks and impairing their ability to operate . Madam Speaker, from these law enforcement efforts, we are now approaching a near one-to-one relationship between violent incidents, weapon recovery and arrest rates. In highlighting our successes and the investments we have made, we really must also express gratitude to our international partners. Given that many of our challenges with criminal violence stem from drug trafficking, the illicit firearm trade, and advance-fee fraud, we have worked closely with our partners, who have provided invaluable support in both human resources and technical assistance. In Jamaica, there is NO hiding place for criminals! We will find them! We will incapacitate them! We will arrest and prosecute them ! Critically, Madam Speaker , our intelligence is now outpacing the criminals and we will continue to strengthen it. Effects of Investments on Murder to Arrest Ratio Madam Speaker , for the first time in over 15 years, we are seeing a fundamental shift in outcomes. The ratio of arrests to murders has risen from approximately 44 arrests per 100 murders in 2012 to an extraordinary 99 arrests per 100 murders in 2025 . That is nearly one arrest for every life lost. This is the essence of deterrence, where the certainty of apprehension and incapacitation sends the strongest signal to those who would choose crime.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 23 Civil Society and Accountability Let me begin by affirming that Jamaica is a democratic country governed by the rule of law. We have put in place strong institutional frameworks to oversee, monitor and evaluate the conduct of our public servants and police officers , including INDECOM, the Office of the Public Defender, the Financial Investigations Division, and the Integrity Commission. Where allegations arise, these bodies must be allowed to carry out their mandate and reach their conclusions. We cannot allow civil society or the court of public opinion to determine outcomes before due process is completed. When doubts are constantly raised about the actions of the police without justification – particularly when the data do not support such a posture – it not only undermines the confidence of our police officers, but exposes them and their families to harm and violence. The establishment of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) was to prevent this from happening. As long as INDECOM is not being impaired in carrying out its investigations, we should all await the criminal justice process and its findings. If it were established that INDECOM is being impaired, then we would indeed have a serious challenge. But, Madam Speaker , I can assure you that this is not the case. In fact, at a typical incident scene, INDECOM investigators have primacy of the scene, they collect forensic evidence, they get reports on the incident and obtain compulsory statements from the officers involved. An INDECOM report published in July 2024 shows that, over a 13-year period (2011-2023), of the 1,936 fatal shootings investigated; only 66 cases resulted in criminal prosecutions. This equates to an effective prosecution rate of approximately 3.4% . Of note, since 2024 there have been 11 cases in which police officers have been charged in relation to fatal shootings. Of those 11 cases, the overwhelming majority – eight (8) – involved off-duty officers, while only three (3) occurred while officers were on duty. If criminals come to believe that police officers are killing persons wantonly, they will retaliate and attack other officers whom they perceive as soft targets. These groups must adhere to the evidence reflected in the data. It is wrong to do otherwise. It is dangerous, and it is immoral!

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 24 Roles of Citizens in Crime Reduction Madam Speaker , this data tells a powerful story about the role of our citizens in making Jamaica safer. Over the past decade, payouts to tipsters have increased significantly, by nearly tenfold . At first thought, one might assume that this reflects a growing reliance on financial incentives. But the reality tells a very different story. Only about 6 per cent of tipsters actually request payment . This means that 94 per cent of Jamaicans who come forward with information do so without compensation . This shows that it is not about money. It is about patriotism. It is about trust. It is about citizens taking a stand for their communities. This is something we must celebrate. This partnership between citizens and law enforcement is one of the strongest signals that Jamaica is not only becoming safer, but that Jamaicans themselves are leading that change. Defining of the Peace Dividend Madam Speaker, Now I turn to peace dividend. But you may ask, what is the peace dividend? Simply put, the peace dividend is the tangible social, economic, and developmental benefits delivered directly to communities that achieve and sustain measurable reductions in crime and violence. It is safer streets. Stronger families. More opportunities for our young people. And a better quality of life for our citizens. This is not just an idea. It is grounded in evidence. Recent research by Professor Nicholas Wright and Dr. Aubrey Stewart , under revision at the Journal of Law and Economics shows that interventions such as states of emergency have produced measurable reductions in violent crime.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 25 Their findings estimate that crime costs Jamaica between 4 and 6 per cent of GDP annually . · Public costs account for approximately 1.54 to 2.5 per cent of GDP , reflecting government expenditure on crime prevention and the criminal justice system. · Private costs add a further 1.24 to 2.16 per cent of GDP , extending beyond firm-level security spending to include household protection measures, higher insurance costs, property value losses, business disruptions, and losses from theft and damage. · In addition, human capital losses amount to about 1.33 per cent of GDP , reflecting reduced economic productivity due to homicides, non-lethal victimisation and incarceration. The authors estimate that each life lost represents not only a human tragedy, but an economic loss of approximately US$147,000 . When they consider the lives saved between 2017 and 2025, the economic benefit ranges from US$360 million to over US$740 million . According to the study, based on expenditure on the implementation of the SOEs between 2018 and 2023, for every dollar invested, Jamaica realised a return of between US$44 and US$90 . That is the power of peace. Peace saves lives. Peace creates value. And peace must now be reinvested. Building the New Ecosystem of Peace Building a durable peace requires more than individual programmes. It requires a coordinated system. At present, many of our social transformation initiatives, though impactful, remain fragmented across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. To address this, we are establishing a single coordinating entity within the Ministry . This central entity will bring together policies, programmes, and interventions related to peace-building and citizen security under a unified framework. It will institutionalise cross-government and multi-sector collaboration, strengthening partnerships with civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector. In doing so, it will build the capacity required to ensure that our interventions are not only effective, but sustainable. The integration of the Citizen Security Secretariat (CSS) and the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Branch could evolve as this coordinating body. This will create a central hub for social, family, and community-based interventions, ensuring greater alignment, efficiency, and impact. This is how we move from isolated efforts to a cohesive ecosystem of peace.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 26 A Life-Cycle Approach: From Before Birth to Adulthood At the heart of the ecosystem of peace is a simple but powerful idea – we must support the individual at every stage of life. Through partnerships with health and social services, we ensure that every child begins life with a strong foundation. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness , from before birth , we will strengthen support for mothers, especially single mothers, through access to maternal health services, nutrition, and parenting support. In early childhood , we will expand parenting programmes and early stimulation initiatives, recognising that the first years of life shape cognitive and emotional development. At the primary and secondary school levels , we will strengthen and scale up interventions already underway through the Citizen Security Plan and the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy (ISSS ). These initiatives include: • School Resource Officers (SROs) in our schools • Mental health and psychosocial support services • Case management for at-risk students • Trauma-informed interventions delivered by guidance counsellors This Government continues to emphasise collaboration. We do not act as silos, but as a coordinated governance unit. The Ministry of National Security and Peace (MNSP) , in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) will continue to provide for youth development through skills training and structured after-school engagement. For young men and boys , who are disproportionately affected by violence, we will expand targeted mentor- ship, behavioural interventions and leadership programmes, helping to redirect potential toward purpose . At the post-secondary level , we will support access to skills training, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities, ensuring that no young person is left without a pathway forward. At every stage, these interventions will be supported by case management systems , ensuring that individuals and families receive coordinated, continuous support.

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Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 28 The Role of the Police in Community Transformation The police will serve as the driver of the vehicle transporting the peace dividend into our communities, working alongside case managers, social workers , schools, and parents. We will ensure that School Resource Officers (SROs) are present in every school facing challenges with violence. These specially trained officers are already operating in our schools, but their duties and functions will be expanded and strengthened. This is a model of community policing in its truest form . Officers will not only respond to crime, but help identify at-risk individuals, connect families to services, and support interventions that prevent crime before it occurs. This strengthens trust. It deepens cooperation. And it ensures that security is felt, not just enforced. Keeping the Peace Keeping the peace requires more than enforcement. It requires structure, standards, and consistency. We will strengthen public order through the Ticket Information Management System (TiMS) to address everyday disturbances, particularly those arising from amplified sound.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 29 We will build out this new ticket management system to more effectively address breaches of public order, while working closely with other ministries and agencies to ensure coordinated implementation. This approach will help reduce unnecessary confrontation between the police and citizens, promoting compliance through clarity and fairness. From ZOSO to Zones of Peace and Opportunity We are evolving our peace-based strategy. Through the Zones of Special Operations, we have restored order in some of our most vulnerable communities. But we cannot remain in a constant state of emergency. After the Clear, Hold, and Build phases , we will transition into a Sustain phase, where Zones of Special Operations evolve into Zones of Peace and Opportunity. These zones will represent a new phase. • A phase where peace is not enforced, but sustained. • Where opportunity replaces fear. • Where enforcement, policing now becomes community-based developmental policing. • And where communities are rewarded for maintaining stability.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 30 Engendering the Peace As we seek to build a peaceful society, we must return to our positive Jamaican cultural values. To “LIV GUD” and look out for each other is one such value that we are seeking to instill in this generation and those to come. The Ministry’s “LIV GUD” anti-violence initiative is designed to encourage citizens to adopt positive values, to take a stand against crime and violence, and to embrace peace as a way of life. To bring this message home – especially to our young people – a number of activities have been undertaken, including: • Establishing “LIV GUD” murals in schools. • Publishing “LIV GUD” activity workbooks, with a view to integrating them into the primary school curriculum. • Introducing “LIV GUD” Peace Ambassadors in schools, empowering youth leaders to champion peace-building. • Conducting “LIV GUD” school invasions. • Organising “LIV GUD” cultural activities. Through these initiatives, we are not only reducing violence – we are shaping a culture of peace. Behaviour modification must be a central objective. As we build out this new ecosystem, and ensure sustainability, it requires a clear distribution of roles and responsibilities among the various stakeholders. Madam Speaker , There is a breath of fresh air moving across Jamaica. There is less blood on our streets. We will not become complacent. We will not retreat. And we will not be soft on crime or disorder. Yes, we have transformed our police force. We will continue this work with focus and determination. The Jamaican people have entrusted us with a mandate – a mandate to lead, to protect, and to deliver.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope. 31 Yes, we are seeing historically low levels of serious crime. Yes, we are removing more illegal firearms from our streets. Yes, arrest rates are rising, and more citizens are coming forward to support law enforcement. Yes, we are incapacitating the criminals… Our work is not finished. We must sustain these gains. We must deepen the peace. And we must prepare the next generation to inherit a Jamaica where violence is not the answer, but opportunity is the norm. This is not only about enforcement. It is about transformation. It is about building Jamaican families, strengthening communities, and creating pathways for our young people to succeed.

Creating a New Ecosystem: Building Peace, Offering Hope 32 And under the leadership of the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, we will continue to move this country forward. A Jamaica that is safer. A Jamaica that is stronger. And a Jamaica where peace endures. A Jamaica to live, work, raise families, do business and retire in peace. May God Bless Jamaica. Thank you.

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