Among the decisions taken at last Thursday morning's high-level meeting, which involved the heads of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, was the intensification of the
joint military/police task force that was established last December.

Lawmen will also increase their presence in all communities and maintain a zero-tolerance approach to minor offences including noise nuisance, possession of marijuana and traffic offences.

They have also been directed to fast-track plans to make greater use of intelligence to apprehend criminals.

The prime minister and security heads also announced that all firearm-related murder investigations in the corporate area will be taken over by the Major Investigation Task Force (MIT).

Golding will be leading efforts to get political consensus about the issue and encourage political representatives to become more involved in communities and use their influence to diffuse emerging and existing conflicts.

A decision was also made to target troubled communities with the aim of transforming them through methods such as community policing and social and economic interventions.

Shortly after returning from Cuba last Wednesday, Golding told reporters at a Press conference that the issue of crime would command paramount attention within his administration.

Acting minister of National Security Senator Dwight Nelson said the Golding administration was worried about the recent spike in crime.

"Over the weekend there was an increase in criminal activities and consequently the number of people killed so the prime minister, on his return from the trip to Cuba, called on personnel to discuss measures to address the recent flare-up and of course the short, mid-term and
long-term process to
the problem of crime,"
he said.

Up to late Wednesday, 540 murders were recorded for the year. (CMC)