Residents Urged to Protect Wi-Fi Hotspots
By: , May 10, 2023
Photo: Nickieta Sterling
Inspector of Police attached to the Frome Police Station in Westmoreland, Barrington Gentles (left), greets the Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Daniel Dawes, at the launch of a Wi-Fi hotspot in Town Head on Thursday (May 4).The Full Story
Residents of communities where free public Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed are being implored to protect the infrastructure for the benefit of generations to come.
“It is here to help our young people, and the wider community by extension. So please, I beg you, make sure it is protected 100 per cent,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the USF, Daniel Dawes.
He was addressing the launch of the Little London Wi-Fi hotspot in Westmoreland Western on May 4.
Zone four Commander for Negril and Little London, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Shaunjaye Mitchell, said that the hotspots can serve as a crime-fighting tool by engaging young people in productive activities.
He urged the youngsters in the community to use the technology to enhance their development.
“They have opportunities to create business online… . It is a big part of our crime-fighting strategy; give them something productive to do and they will do less wrongs. It is a big part of how we can reach our kids, and we want to commend the Government for taking this stance for allowing free access to everyone in communities,” he said.
In his address at the launch of the service in Town Head, Westmoreland, on the same day, Inspector at the Frome Police Station, Barrington Gentles, assured that every effort will be made to safeguard the access point from criminals.
He was speaking against the background of the theft of Wi-Fi equipment at Golden Spring, St. Andrew and Newlands in Portmore, St. Catherine.
Inspector Gentles implored residents of the farming community not to allow wrongdoers to rob them of access to the game-changing technology.
“Rest assured that the police will monitor this equipment. And the community at large, whenever you see anyone trying to remove same, the police can be called and we can immediately respond to such call,” he assured.
The Community Wi-Fi programme, being undertaken by the USF, aims to bridge the digital gap, particularly for individuals in deep rural areas who are unable to obtain Internet service.