$10b crime fight boost
Government makes big investment in Specialised Operations West
Published:Tuesday | June 18, 2024 | 12:11 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The Jamaican Government has indicated that a significant investment of $10 billion is being made into the new Specialised Operations West facility, to be based in Montego Hills, St James, as part of its multifaceted strategy to combat crime.
This project was highlighted during the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, where the Ministry of National Security Chief Technical Director Delroy Simpson outlined several key initiatives aimed at enhancing law enforcement and reducing crime on the island.
Simpson’s presentation showcased the extensive efforts and substantial investments being made to improve crime fighting in Jamaica.
Simpson confirmed with The Gleaner after his presentation that the design for the building had been completed, concept was approved, and is to be followed by a final submission.
Specialised Operations West (similar to the former Mobile Reserve), it is estimated, will take three years to be completed and is designed to accommodate 500 police personnel.
“The facility will be strategically located on a hill overlooking downtown Montego Bay and aligns well with our proximity policing strategy. The presence of a facility like this in a volatile area will be significant in curtailing criminal activities in that space,” shared Simpson.
Montego Hills neighbours Salt Spring, a community tarnished by flare-ups of gang warfare over the years.
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang, indicated last month that the the facility was among three major construction projects – including the Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters and the St Catherine North Divisional Headquarters – at a combined investment of J$15 billion.
Another significant investment shared by the technical director on Monday was the state-of-the-art forensic pathology autopsy suite, on Orange Street, downtown Kingston, valued at $650 million, which he said is 98 per cent complete.
According to Simpson, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the country’s primary law enforcement agency, has faced severe institutional challenges, including deteriorating police structures, limited use of technology, manual policing processes, and issues with manpower and mobility.
An islandwide assessment of police stations in 2018, he revealed, showed that 115 out of 213 stations were in an advanced state of disrepair, with 15 deemed irreparable.
In response, he said the ministry launched a project in partnership with the National Housing Trust and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund. To date, 148 major renovation projects have been completed at a cost of just over $2 billion.
Additionally, the construction of nine new stations is on track to be completed by the end of the financial year, with an investment of $1.3 billion.
“Five new stations are currently undergoing the public investment process, and work has commenced on two mega facilities in Westmoreland and St Catherine North Divisional Headquarters, valued at $5 billion,” he told the gathering at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Monday afternoon.
Investment in technology has been a crucial aspect of improving crime-fighting capabilities Simpson noted, revealing that the JamaicaEye surveillance programme, launched in 2018, has seen the installation of approximately 900 cameras, with an additional 350 expected by the end of the financial year, bringing the total to over 1,200 cameras at an investment of $1.7 billion.
The traffic ticket management system has also seen significant upgrades with the introduction of e-ticketing.
Currently, 3,800 e-ticketing devices are being deployed, and a new ticket management system has been developed, costing over $1 billion. Additionally, a station management system has been implemented in 28 stations, aiming to replace the traditional station diary.
“Efficient and secure communication is indispensable to effective policing,” he argued, noting that major investments have been made to enhance the communications network, including the radio network, computer-aided dispatch, and the microwave system. A total of 63 sites are now connected to the microwave system, with a total investment of $1.5 billion.
To address mobility challenges, 1,477 vehicles have been purchased for the JCF, significantly enhancing their operational capabilities.
The total investment, he revealed, represents $19.2 billion.
Simpson pointed out that the multidimensional nature of the crime problem in Jamaica requires an integrated, multifaceted, and sustained response.
“This comprehensive approach is structured around three key pillars: strengthening the legislative framework to target serious crimes, reimagining social intervention strategies, and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement to respond more effectively.”