NEW YORK, USA Hotly debating the events which ended the State of Emergency in their homeland, Jamaican nationals here are concerned about a possible resurgence of high rates of murder and other criminal activities.

Interviews conducted by the Sunday Observer here, reveal that many Jamaicans are upset at the turn of events surrounding the State of Emergency.

Pennsylvania businessman, Hugh Robinson, said he was "upset over the entire affair", arguing that both sides should have worked harder to find common ground.

Cornel Henry, a former correctional officer, described as unfortunate, the stance taken by the Parliamentary Opposition. So too, said Keith N Smellie, head of the non-profit Ex-Correctional Officers Association.

Introduced at the height of the Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition saga in May, the measure has been credited with Jamaica recording a significant reduction in murders, extortion and other violent crimes over the two-month period.

But on Tuesday, Opposition legislators abstained from voting for a second 30-day extension, offering a 15-day compromise instead, which the Government rejected.

The most scathing response came from Claudia Pyke who heads the New York chapter of Generation 2000, the young professional affiliate of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

Accusing People's National Party (PNP) parliamentarians of politicising the issue, Pyke urged the Government "to have the governor general declare another State of Emergency to continue the gains made so far in reducing the criminal activities".

While not making a direct link between the discontinuation of the State of Emergency and the murder of four people in Bog Walk, St Catherine Thursday night, Pyke noted that it might not be a co-incidence that the shootings took place on the very day the security forces ceased to have emergency powers.

Airline Johnson, a sales clerk, agreed with Pyke that the State of Emergency should not have been lifted.

But not everyone here is unhappy.

Former member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Dwight P Bailey for example, said the move was never intended to be a long-term crime-fighting tool.