Chief Justice Zaila McCalla.- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla is cautioning residents and the police not to allow the recent increase in crime and violence affecting other parishes to take root in Portland.

The chief justice was speaking at the opening of the new $280 million state-of-the-art courthouse at Bryan's Bay in Port Antonio on Wednesday.

She said the opening of the new courthouse marked an important occasion for the residents who were forced to travel long distances to court in Buff Bay.

"I, therefore, whole heartedly join in welcoming the commissioning into service this facility," said McCalla.

"Today, this modern court building is being officially opened with physical amenities designed to improve the administration of justice," she said.

The chief justice explained that the opening of the facility was another step towards justice for all.

The facility has a judge's chamber, a police post, an evidence room, petty sessions area, sick bay, clerk of the court office, a bailiff office, accounting office and vault, an administrative office, an attorney's interview room, and a jury room.

The courthouse was completed in June last year, but was handed over to the Ministry of National Security in August. The first sessions at the courthouse took place on June 8.