Crime Roundup: Police cleared bomb threat. Suspect named for the KPH murder. Ex-member of the PNP endorsed the JLP.
KINGSTON, Jamaica–The Jamaica Constabulary Force says reports of bomb threats at several schools across multiple parishes resulting in the suspension of classes were a hoax.
In a statement posted on the JCF’s social media pages Thursday afternoon, November 9, 2023, the police urged school officials and the general public to remain calm.
The Ministry of Education, Fayval Williams, said operations at some 12 schools in five different parishes were affected by the bomb threats sent via emails to the institutions.
In St. Catherine, the Greater Portmore High School, Old Harbour High School, Ascot High School, and the Sabrina Learning Centre. In the corporate area, Immaculate High School, the Queen’s School, and AISK had classes disrupted, while Lennon High School and Denbigh High were affected in Clarendon.
There were also reports that the William Knibb High School in Trelawny was affected. Meanwhile, in Westmoreland, the Belmont Academy and Mannings School were also affected by bomb threats.
In a statement on social media, Education Minister Fayval Williams said the Ministry is monitoring the situation.
She said schools that received the threats exercised caution and dismissed classes.
Police Name Suspect in KPH Murder
KINGSTON WESTERN, Jamaica – The Kingston West Police have named a suspect in the murder of a man outside the gates of the Kingston Public Hospital on Tuesday night, November 7, 2023.
According to the Head of the Division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, the authorities named the suspect Evroy Smith, o/c ‘Little Giant,’ of a Pink Lane address in Kingston 14.
The police identified the deceased as Robert Marley, of a Golden Heights address in Kingston.
Law enforcement authorities asked Smith to turn himself over to the police at the Denham police station by 6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023.
SSP Phipps says the police have increased their presence at the hospital following the incident.
Ex-PNP Member endorsed the JLP and the Holness Administration.
Ex-member of the PNP and sitting councilor for the Papine division, Venesha Phillips has endorsed Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labor Party. Phillips said the Andrew Holness-led JLP is the better option to lead the country.
Phillips, who withdrew her membership from the Mark Golding-led PNP two years ago, spoke with Cliff Hughes and Honika Brown on the Consumer Hour on Wednesday morning, November 8, 2023.
Ms. Phillips said the work the Holness administration is doing makes the JLP the better of the two parties at this time.
She believes, however, that the JLP needs to fix how it communicates with the public.
Meanwhile, Ms. Phillips says the PNP she grew to love and serve does not exist anymore.
Phillips said she would not seek re-election as councilor for the Papine Division. But she says it is too soon to tell if she is turning her back on representative politics.