REUTERS/Gilbert BellamyKINGSTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday declared a state of public emergency in parts of the capital Kingston and in some central and western parishes in an attempt to control rising crime linked to gang violence. States of emergency give authorities increased powers, including the ability to search buildings and carry out arrests without warrants. "What we are seeing with gang activities in these areas is cause for grave concern," he added. Holness predicted an increase in murders over the next several weeks with the onset of the holiday season, when violent crime typically spikes. Gang violence was the reason for 71% of those murders, he said.

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