Debating an extension of the states of emergency in the Kingston Western and Central police divisions yesterday, newly appointed Leader of Opposition Business Peter Bunting indicated that the Holness administration had chosen social control over social investment in tackling crime in Jamaica.

According to Bunting, social control was used in the form of states of emergency, curfews, widespread surveillance of citizens, and unjustified arrests while the Jamaica Constabulary Force has not been sufficiently developed.

Militarisation of our policing is another definite trend in governments who put an emphasis on social control,” he added, referencing the Jamaica Defence Force.

However, Bunting insisted that the Government should invest heavily in schools in communities that are generating crimes.

“National security was 10 times the capital budget for education,” Bunting observed, telling his counterpart Education Minister Karl Samuda, “you can’t be happy with that.”