Derrick Smith (left), Minister of National Security, greets correctional officers after they were presented with their medals at the national honours and awards ceremony yesterday at the Terra Nova Hotel, St. Andrew. The officers were awarded for long service and good conduct. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

The public should brace for more spot checks at hot spots in and outside the Corporate Area as the Government implements a three-month plan to arrest the nation's surging crime rate.

Derrick Smith, Minister of National Security, yesterday provided only a brief outline of the measures to be included in the short-term plan, after addressing members of the Department of Correctional Services who received national awards for long service and good conduct during a ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew.

According to the latest police statistics revealed on Tuesday, 968 persons had been killed up to August 31. This is 123 more than for the same period last year.

Short-term measure

Reacting to the latest figures, Mr. Smith said the Government had already undertaken the short-term measure, which began last week Friday, and will run into late January 2008.

"It involves dealing with hot spots throughout the Corporate Area and outside of the Corporate Area," he said. "It involves traffic, it involves dealing with extortion and general law and order across the country."

Mr. Smith said the strategies came out of a meeting held between Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas and Jamaica Defence Force Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin.

"It has just been implemented for a few days, we are hoping that the strategy will bear some fruits to, first of all, halt the runaway murder situation in the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Security Minister, who only last week took up office in the new Jamaica Labour Party administration, also condemned the shooting of a pregnant woman by the police in St. Thomas.

The woman, 19-year-old Tian Wolfe, was standing near a group of people who were demonstrating against an earlier incident in which the police reportedly killed another resident, Dexter Hyatt.

Mr. Smith said the behaviour of the police in the St. Thomas incident was "disgraceful".

"What I saw on national television last night was frightening, indicating a lack of professionalism in dealing with demonstrations," he said. "We would like, as a new administration, to assure the country that that type of behaviour we do not condone, we will not permit. Individual rights will always be maintained, demonstrations are legal provided that they operate within the confines of the law."

Mr. Smith, who was on his way to St. Thomas yesterday to speak with the family members, said he had asked the police commissioner to provide him with a preliminary report into Tuesday's protest.

When he spoke with The Gleaner, he said he had not yet received the report.