Time come, says JLP’s St James Central MP

Member of Parliament for St James Central, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Heroy Clarke, might have raised some eyebrows in Parliament on Tuesday as he made his presentation during the State of the Constituency Debate.

Clarke, who is also the deputy Speaker, used a term that has been popularised by the People’s National Party (PNP) as he spoke about criminal activities in his constituency, even as he dismissed any commonality with the Opposition.

Clarke said while the constituents were smiling because of the work that he has done in the constituency, their hearts were heavy because of criminal activities that continue to be perpetrated by a few thugs. He said the time has come for the crime to stop.

“We must no longer accept this kind of behaviour. The constituency of St James Central says ‘time come’. Time come, not to what the King’s Opposition is having a nightmare of, but time come for this senseless killing to stop.”

Clarke’s comments came even as crime figures in St James have shown a decrease for the first 11 months of the year, compared to 2023 figures.

Up to Tuesday, murders were down 32 per cent, from 173 to 118, while shooting had also dipped by three per cent, from 103 to 100. Overall, serious crime figures were down by nine per cent, from 332 to 301, a trend being seen by most parishes in Jamaica.

Prior to his comment, Clarke had listed several of the projects he has undertaken over the last year, especially in the areas of education, social welfare, and infrastructure.

The MP said that through his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and sponsorship from well-wishers, for 2024-2025 he has been able to invest $8.5 million in education in St James Central.

The activities include a back-to-school treat in August, textbook distribution, payment for CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) subjects, and grants to tertiary-level students.

“With some assistance from the CHASE Fund, we got a much-needed infant department at the Farm Primary School in Green Pond. The primary school in Salt Spring has been recently renovated through the JSIF (Jamaica Social Investment Fund). This entity, through its visionary leadership, continues to transform Salt Spring from what it used to be, to a place where we are now able to live in peace and comfort,” he continued.

Regarding social welfare, through the CDF, 120 birth certificates and 80 passports were paid for and have been received by the applicants, while 30 residents were treated to mammogram screening.

“As part of Project STAR’s ongoing commitment to the development of Salt Spring, upon our official entry into the community, Project STAR has been working with members of the community to work on the development of the Community Transformation Action Plan,” Clarke also revealed.

Turning to infrastructure, Clarke said several roadways in Rose Heights and Salt Spring have been repaired. He said several other roads in the constituency are to be repaired, including sections of Flower Hill, Cornwall Court, Golden Heights, Cornwall Gardens, among others.

Regarding the creation of a mini park near Jarrett Park, Clarke said funding has been identified for the project from the Ministry of Tourism under the Spruce Up Pon Di Corner programme managed by TPDCo, and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation under the Urban Renewal Programme.

“I am able to begin construction of the multipurpose court. This represents the first phase of the project in the amount of $6.3 million,” Clarke confirmed.

Carl Gilchrist