Member of Parliament Calls for Electronic Monitoring of Persons on Bail

Member of Parliament, St. Thomas Eastern, Dr. Michelle Charles, is calling for a structured monitoring of persons on bail.

Making her contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on October 20, Dr. Charles said electronic monitoring devices should be used to track offenders.

Her comments come in light of the recent kidnappings of two young girls in her constituency, allegedly by a person who was on bail.

“We had over 800 persons looking for one man in my constituency. Imagine if that one man had on an ankle bracelet. I am calling for the use of technology to enhance the capabilities of the security system to be able to track somebody,” Dr. Charles said.

“We should not have so much difficulty finding someone that is interacting with our own court. If he had an ankle bracelet, we would have known exactly where he took it off, if he took it off, or where he is, if he has it on,” she added.

She said changes are also needed so that the sexual offenders registry can be effective.

“There is a reason why we have a sex offenders registry. The reason is to identify these persons, so we can protect the community. That is not effectively being done now. I am calling for a more effective system and all necessary legislative changes that are required to create the framework needed for us to be able to protect our children and our community from the claws of these beasts,” Dr. Charles emphasised.

She used the opportunity to thank all the persons who formed the search parties for the abducted girls.

“We had a manhunt on the ground, including our security forces. People came from near and far, and I want to thank each and every citizen and volunteer that assisted the security forces. Thanks to those who prayed for their safety,” Dr. Charles added.

Meanwhile, she urged Jamaicans to report incidents of child abuse. “I want to warn those monsters in our society that we are watching, and we will not accommodate your nastiness. We will not accommodate your stalking, raping and terrorising our children. I am calling on all well-thinking Jamaicans, men and women, to push them out from the darkness. Let us know who they are,” she said.