• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Implementation of Best Technology Integral to New Crime Plan – Dr. Phillips

May 25, 2007

The Full Story

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips has indicated that the implementation of the best technology would become fully integrated into the new crime plan which was announced recently.
Addressing members of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce at the Hotel Versalles in May Pen, Clarendon, on May 24, the Minister pointed out that much money has been spent on the modernisation of a number of systems in relation to technology in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
“Over US$10 million was spent to upgrade our radio system and this is at a 99 per cent completion level. We expect that by June this platform should be fully operational. We are also revamping the old 119 system and this will come on fully at a later date,” he noted.
Other improvements cited by the Minister included the establishment of closed circuit television systems and the recent procurement of a modern fingerprint database system, which would link all the parishes to Kingston. Dr. Phillips said there had been a number of consultations in various parishes to get the input of the citizens about the way forward in dealing with much of the anti-social behaviour that was becoming more and more commonplace.
He said there have been mixed results so far this year in dealing with crime, and that while there has been an overall decline in major crimes, there was still concern about the rate of homicides. The Minister pointed out that the trends in both St. James and Clarendon were of much concern to the Ministry. “Last year up to this point there were 33 murders in Clarendon and right now there are 44,” Dr. Phillips said. The Minister said that crime should continue to trend downwards because of some intense activities on the part of the Security Forces. “Thus far, there have been over 1,000 police raids and over 123 police road blocks. We have recovered 18 firearms, in fact over 400 offensive weapons in all,” he noted.
Dr. Phillips said that data had indicated that the levels of crime being experienced by certain sections of Clarendon were linked to effective policing in other areas of the island, with the criminals seeking refuge in the parish.

Last Updated: May 25, 2007

Skip to content