Partner with the police, justice minister tells JPs

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck has encouraged justices of the peace (JPs) to partner with the police in the fight against crime by being the eyes and ears of their communities.

Giving the keynote address at the installation ceremony for 22 JPs for the parish of Trelawny, held on Thursday at the Mangoes Beach Resort, Cooper's Pen, in the parish, Chuck said JPs are appointed community leaders with an upper hand to help control crime.

"You are the community leaders who we believe can demonstrate the integrity and the character that we feel that others can follow, and I am depending on the justices of the peace across Jamaica to be the rebirth of what is good, what is hopeful, what is decent, what is civil, and what is altogether right for Jamaica," the minister said.

He argued that JPs should be persons who strengthen the moral and social fabric of communities so that residents can emulate their conduct.

Chuck said that far too many young people are being influenced by perpetrators of crime, and JPs need to be proactive and strive to be beacons of change in an effort to influence youngsters.

"The youngsters in our communities need role models, and unfortunately, the role models that are emerging in far too many communities are the scammers, the criminal dons and the gangsters."

The 22 men and women took the oath of office before Custos of Trelawny Paul Muschett.