YAR: ZoSo in Denham Town

Peace-building through research resulted in the approval of a research proposal on the ZoSo in Denham Town. Team Government, comprising of lead researchers Odane Brooks, Cesone Clemmings, Lori-Ann Willis, Anicia Francis, Ockera Moulton, and Raniel Thompson research focuses on the crime-fighting and community building strategy Zones of Special Operations that have been implemented across different communities in Jamaica.

The focus of the research is to explore the extent to which ZOSO implemented in the Denham Town community has been effective in addressing crime and violence in the said community from a social interventionist standpoint. The researchers were minded to study this area as not much has been documented thus far about the impact that ZOSO has had in the spaces they have been implemented and therefore, it is the expectation that this research will provide findings that can inform policy decisions and future actions by the government.

Data collection phase began with a 45-minute session for the group. The agenda follows:

  • Introduction of Prof. Waller and YAR participants of the Group on Government Programmes.
  • 10–15-minute pitch by the YAR group (we encourage each participant to speak) using the template attached and guided by the following structure:
      • Context
      • Research Question
      • Conceptual Framework
      • Methods
      • Data collection and Analysis
      • Ethical Considerations
      • Possible challenges, risks, remaining questions.
  • Feedback and Discussion with Dr. Waller and UNESCO (Paula, Kaila, Giuliana)