Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander is expressing his disappointment over the collapse of the Special Zones of Operations Bill.
He made the statement in an interview during a Farmers’ Consultation held at his constituency office earlier.
The ZOSO Bill failed after eight of nine Independent Senators voted against, while one Independent Senator abstained. The six Opposition Senators also voted against.
The legislation would have allowed the Government to establish ZOSOs in areas deemed as crime hotspots and required a three-fifths majority to be passed.
Minister Alexander said while disappointed, he’s not surprised. He is, however, assuring citizens that a Plan B is on its way and insists that crime remains a priority for the Government.
“Every time we say that we want to put something on the table and if we talk about it too much, it goes out there and persons try out their best to see how they can treat with it and it’s now issues.”
The Minister of Homeland Security said the Zones of Special Operations would not have affected regular citizens of this country.
“What was happening in Laventillle when the introduction of the Inter-Agency Task Force, what happened in Edinburgh 500 with Lions Gate? You remember that? There was a time when even Cedros was having an issue and law enforcement, members of the Defence Force, Coast Guard and other teams mounted and headed down to that area, spent a number of weeks to treat with it. So when I’m hearing now that persons are talking about ‘the zone will tackle black people and who white.’ Listen, the Zone would have only affected the criminal elements. But the normal citizens would have benefited from it.”