Maloney Buildings is the first closed area under the Special Operations Act. A nightly curfew took effect immediately.
President Christine Kangaloo has declared the Maloney Buildings Housing Development in Maloney Gardens a closed area under the Special Operations Act, 2026, the first community in the country to receive the designation. The declaration was made Tuesday in Legal Notice No. 847. A separate order, Legal Notice No. 848, imposes a curfew requiring people in the area to stay inside their premises between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. It took effect immediately. The area is in Policing District 2.
Kangaloo made the curfew order under Section 14(1) of the Act, and both orders are subject to negative resolution of the House of Representatives. Under the Bill, the House can annul an order at any time, though motions to do so cannot be brought within three months of each other. The President can also revoke it at any time. The orders do not say which incidents or intelligence led to Maloney’s designation. The Bill requires the President to deliver a statement setting out the specific grounds to the Speaker within seven days, which means by about Nov. 17.
People may not leave their premises during curfew hours unless the order authorizes it or they hold a permit. The Bill exempts the President, the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, MPs, municipal councillors, judges, the Police Commissioner, the Chief of Defence Staff and police and soldiers on duty. The Police Commissioner, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Head of Special Operations or Head of Military Assistance for the area can issue permits, and the Bill requires applications to be accepted manually and electronically. Breaching a curfew or permit condition is an offence carrying a fine of $50,000 and one year in prison on summary conviction.
A heavy police presence was reported in the community on Tuesday night, with officers at access points and announcements over loudspeakers telling residents about the restrictions. A recording shared with the Guardian says everyone in the area must remain on their premises during curfew hours unless legally authorized or holding a valid permit.
Trincity/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis, of the Opposition, accused the Government of imposing the restrictions without adequately informing residents. She said residents contacted her in a panic, unsure whether they need permits simply to return home, and that even police officers appeared to lack clear guidance. She said “residents deserve answers, clear communication and an explanation.”
Parliament passed the Special Operations Act in September, and it was proclaimed in October. The Bill creates seven policing districts and lets the President declare a closed area where violent crime, illegal weapons or gang control threaten public safety and ordinary policing is insufficient. In a closed area, police can search places, vehicles and people without a warrant on reasonable suspicion. People arrested must go before a Magistrate, who can remand them for up to 48 hours before they must appear before a High Court judge. Police and soldiers must use body-worn cameras where resources allow. The Bill provides for the Act to stay in force for two years from its commencement. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has said certain conditions in the Act must be met before an area can be considered for designation. The reports reviewed did not include a statement from the Government or the Police Service on why Maloney was chosen.