By Leonardo Blair, Staff ReporterTHREATS AND fears of violent attack have pushed up the demand for bodyguards in Jamaica.
An increasing number of local and foreign business executives have joined politicians and entertainers on the list of persons now requesting bodyguards or close protection, several security companies say.
With market rates for the service starting at a low of $150 up to a high of $1,500 hourly, at least one company further pointed out that the majority of its clients for this service are female businesswomen who prefer to play it safe in the company of strong, armed men when going on business trips around the country.
"I would say businesswomen are requesting it (bodyguard service) more now," says Rachel Dibbs, advertising and marketing manager for Quest Security Services Ltd. "If they are travelling to the country for business or some specific reason they usually request the company of one or two guards, generally armed."
Mrs. Dibbs says that in the last two or three months, the demand for the bodyguard service of her company has increased by almost 40 per cent. She says her company has also been getting "a lot of" calls from English business persons coming to the island for short business trips.
And while most of their close protection clients are usually VIP dignitaries or entertainers, local calls for the service have been increasing, says Richard Reese, divisional human resources and administrative manager at Securicor Jamaica Ltd. Local demand (for close protection) has been increasing," says Major Reese. While noting that the service was not a significant portion of the business conducted at the island's second largest security company, Major Reese explains that the increase in demand has been coming from CEOs and top administrators at several Government agencies.
While the demand has also been increasing at Guardsman Limited, general manager at the company, Captain Ewan Oliver, told The Sunday Gleaner that the majority of requests come from foreign dignitaries or business people trying to avoid the hassles of being mistaken for tourists.
"These people are usually here for short intense business trips and their asking for close protection is a preventative measure," said Captain Oliver.
ADAMS' BODYGUARDS
Senior Superintendent and head of the Crime Management Unit (CMU) Renato Adams who currently travels around with a number of police guards told The Sunday Gleaner that he needs bodyguards because of the increasing number of threats he has received on his life since joining the CMU two years ago.
He, however, noted that police protection is available to persons who could substantiate their claim of threat on their lives. He further stated that officers of the law are not permitted to enter into paid private protection contracts with civilians.
"It is not permitted. There are policemen who guard civilians but that is done on the order of the Commissioner of Police," he said.
In recent years, several businessmen and women have been victims of violent attacks and kidnappings while others are feeding extortion rings to maintain protection for their businesses.
Just last July a Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) executive was kidnapped for a brief period in a foiled robbery attempt at the Duke Street, Kingston branch.
In another incident, four police and an ex-colleague were held by the authorities during a sting operation in January while allegedly attempting to extort $100 million from a Jacks Hill, St. Andrew, businessman.
In July 2000, 48-year-old businesswoman, Sylvia Edwards, was kidnapped then shot and killed when demands for a ransom were not met.
