Government and Opposition party to collaborate in crime fighting effort

The Government and the Opposition have pledged to take a bipartisan approach to deal with the country’s crime situation.

Both sides have also pledged to work together to root out corruption.

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, and Peter Bunting, former national security minister under the previous People’s National Party administration gave the commitment at the 10,000 men and family gathering in Spanish Town, St Catherine yesterday.

The forum, at the Spanish Town prison oval last evening, was organised by Bishop Rowan Edwards of the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church.

Charles told the gathering that Jamaica needs a partnership approach to fight crime and violence in a way that is sustainable for future generations.

Bunting agreed adding that he supports a bipartisan effort to fighting crime.

In making the call, he cited official crime statistics for St Catherine, which according to him, show that major crimes are down in the parish.

According to him, murders are down 53 per cent, rapes are down 39 per cent and shootings are down 36 per cent in St Catherine.

The former national security minister pledged his willingness to work with the new administration cutting down crime.