Old Harbour curfew hours amended

The announcement was made during an emergency business meeting convened by the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce.

Following over an hour of discussions with members of the business community, ASP Rankin confirmed that the curfew will now be shortened after consultations with the St Catherine South and Area 5 high commands.

Revised Curfew Hours

“Effective this evening, the curfew will extend until 9:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays,” said ASP Rankin, who recently assumed command of the Old Harbour police subdivision. “We will monitor the situation and assess how well it works.”

The decision follows widespread concerns from business owners about the economic strain caused by the initial curfew, which was imposed from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM under the ongoing 14-day State of Emergency (SOE), set to expire on February 5.

Potential for Further Adjustments

ASP Rankin suggested that this adjustment could mark the first step toward lifting curfew restrictions entirely. However, he emphasized that any further relaxation depends on reducing violent crimes, particularly murders, and ensuring that businesses comply with the outlined security measures.

Currently, Old Harbour ranks second among subdivisions in St Catherine South for homicides, recording four murders since the start of the year. The division as a whole has experienced a 233% surge in murders compared to the same period in 2024.

St Catherine South is among four police divisions—along with Kingston Western, St Andrew South, and St Andrew Central—under the SOE due to high levels of violent crime. St Catherine North was added to the list following a surge in attacks on law enforcement, triggered by last week’s fatal shooting of One Order gang leader Othneil ‘Thick Man’ Lobban.

Since the SOE’s implementation, the island-wide murder rate has decreased significantly, with 58 recorded murders as of January 25—one fewer than the same period last year.

Economic Impact on Businesses

Despite its success in curbing crime, the SOE has had a severe impact on local businesses, many of which have seen a sharp decline in revenue. Some business owners have been forced to cut staff hours or even consider layoffs due to reduced operating times.

Treacha Reid, president of the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the financial strain in a draft petition obtained by Old Harbour News.

“Many businesses, particularly in retail and entertainment, depend on evening and nighttime operations to sustain their income,” Reid stated. “The curfew has forced early closures, leading to financial losses, reduced customer traffic, and, if this trend continues, potential temporary shutdowns.”

She further noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of the local economy, are particularly vulnerable. Unlike larger corporations, SMEs often lack financial reserves to withstand extended periods of reduced revenue, putting their survival at risk.

While the petition remains on hold, Reid confirmed that the chamber is continuing discussions with law enforcement to find a sustainable solution.

Balancing Security and Business Interests

ASP Rankin acknowledged the challenges but stressed that security concerns must remain a priority. The curfew was implemented not only to curb rising murders but also to disrupt criminal movements across police divisions.

“We’ve noticed that many of our violence producers have been displaced—they’re either fleeing the area, seeking refuge elsewhere, or even trying to leave the country to avoid confrontations with law enforcement,” Rankin explained.

However, he cautioned that security threats remain, particularly with the escalating situation in St Catherine North.

“We have to ensure that our borders are secure because criminals may attempt to relocate to our space,” he said. “That’s why I can’t simply extend the curfew to midnight. If Spanish Town is locked down at 10:00 PM, Old Harbour must follow suit to prevent becoming a safe haven for criminals.”