EU, Gov’t tout Citizen Security Plan in post-Melissa recovery

The Government of Jamaica and the European Union (EU) have praised their partnership on the multibillion-dollar Citizen Security Plan (CSP), saying the initiative has achieved major milestones in community safety and will play a critical role in recovery after Hurricane Melissa.

Established in 2020, the CSP is a data-driven framework designed to tackle the social, economic and institutional factors behind crime and violence. Officials say the plan’s systems — from psychosocial support to data-sharing committees — are now being deployed to help families and communities navigate displacement and trauma in the wake of the storm.

Executive Director of the Citizen Security Secretariat Dianne McIntosh said Hurricane Melissa tested every system built under the CSP.

“What gives us hope is that the tools we need already exist and they work,” she said. “The same mechanisms that supported more than 103,000 parents and completed 250 child diversion cases can now pivot seamlessly to deliver trauma-informed care and coordinated support to families navigating displacement, loss and emotional shock.”

At a high-level engagement on November 19, National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang said the CSP has delivered measurable results despite pressures from COVID-19, natural disasters and economic strain. “As communities become more secure, fear begins to subside, and we see less of the extreme violence that once dominated headlines,” Chang said. He added that the all-of-government approach, bringing together social services, policing, health and education, is essential for long-term change.

EU Ambassador Dr Erja Askola highlighted the bloc’s role in supporting Jamaica’s security and justice sector for more than two decades. “Through the Citizen Security Plan, we have helped to renovate police stations, create safe spaces for children and vulnerable groups, expand psychosocial and learning activities in schools, and provide vocational training for youth at risk,” she said.

Data from the past five years show the CSP has strengthened Jamaica’s social and security infrastructure. The Child Diversion Programme completed 250 cases, with 86 per cent of participants receiving treatment plans. Child guidance clinic usage rose by 219 per cent, and more than 1,600 students were risk assessed, providing a baseline for post-Melissa interventions.

The EU has contributed $3.5 billion over five years through budget support and technical assistance.