Kingston JPs hitting the streets
Published:Friday | March 17, 2017 | 12:00 AM
New president of the Kingston chapter of the Lay Magistrates' Association of Jamaica, Mark Gonzales, has vowed to increase the visibility of justices of the peace (JPs) in Kingston during his turn at the helm.
To ensure his goal is achieved, Gonzales has established committees to focus on different areas of the mandate of JPs.
WEEKLY VISITS
According to Gonzales, some JPs have volunteered to conduct weekly visits to police lock-ups in the Kingston Western, Central, and Eastern divisions. The JPs are also planning for regular visits to places of safety for minors in the Corporate Area.
Reports of the visits are to be submitted to Custos of Kingston Steadman Fuller for the appropriate action and intervention.
Another team of JPs will visit the Police Mobile Reserve base regularly to ensure the smooth processing of deportees. Visits and special treats which are now organised for abandoned inmates at the General Penitentiary will also continue.
"These initiatives are in keeping with our mission to uphold the rights of citizens and supporting peace and justice for our fellow men," said Gonzales, as he pointed to a recent community health fair staged by the chapter in downtown Kingston.
More than 160 persons received professional health services, including blood sugar tests, blood pressure tests, HIV/AIDS tests, and medical consultations free of cost at the fair.
"The chapter endeavours to serve the communities of Kingston to the best of our abilities and is committed to greater partnership, engagement and interaction with the communities within Kingston," said Gonzales.
"We intend to be more engaging and interacting with the communities within Kingston. These initiatives include more coordinated programmes, community development and outreach programmes which will take the form of more health fairs, town hall meeting, parent-teacher associations partnerships, visits to schools, citizens' associations partnership, church partnership, visitations, and other social partnerships," added Gonzales.