Government Senator and Councillor for the Flanker Division in Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, has renewed his call for a State of Emergency to be declared in St James.

This comes amid a dramatic increase in the number of murders in the parish since the start of year.

Over 300 persons have been killed in St James so far this year.

The former Mayor of Montego Bay says while the Zone of Special Operations has been effective in reducing crimes in the small area it covers, it has not had an impact on crime in the parish.

He feels that a State of Emergency would be more effective in reducing crime in St James.

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Sinclair says a State of Emergency in St James would allow the security forces to focus on crime in the wider parish without the need for social intervention, which would require immense resources beyond the capacity of state agencies.

He says the crime situation now gripping St James might not have reached this stage if a State of Emergency was declared last year when he first suggested it.

Sinclair says more persons in the business and tourism sectors may be likely now to support the measure given the gravity of the crime situation confronting residents of the parish.