Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, says the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) in Parade Gardens, Kingston, has been effective in reducing crime and violence, particularly murders and shootings, in the community.

He noted that four years ago, the idea of freely and safely traversing the community would have appeared remote.

“This was once an area captured by gangs. Indeed, the murder rate in the area was high… [and] now we are seeing the dividends of peace. The error would be to believe that we could have brought peace to the community by just fixing up a school, or putting in a football field without addressing the fundamental security issues,” Holness said during a recent tour of the area.