Jamaica News

This message is issued by the U.S. Embassy to alert American citizens concerning ongoing violence in the Grants Pen/Shortwood area of Kingston.
Police have advised that a gang war is in progress in the Grants Pen Road and Shortwood Lane of Upper St. Andrew. At last report, at least five (5) persons have been killed in the area, and heavily armed men remain.

The police advise avoiding this area due to this ongoing gang war.

Americans should monitor local radio and television reports and stay away from the Grants Pen and Shortwood Lane areas of Kingston until the news media confirms that the area is safe.

Militant residents of Cornwall Courts and Green Pond mounted massive roadblocks yesterday, as they protested against the stench that emanates from the flow of raw sewage in the area. The residents complained that the flow of untreated effluent – accompanied by a strong offensive odor – is making life unbearable and unhealthy.

The protests come even as the National Water Commission (NWC) is scheduled to commence next week to construct a sewer main that will be used to discharge sewage from the housing scheme to the central sewage system in Bogue. The project is to be carried out by Tank Weld Ltd., and will see over 2.4 kilometres of sewer lines being run from King Street to Bogue.