Maximum security! JFF strengthens safety measures for World Cup matches

Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has put in place some strict security and safety measures to make it more efficient to enter the National Stadium for Jamaica's two upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualification matches next month.

Jamaica will oppose Mexico in a return game in the Hexagonal series on June 4, then face the United States of America (USA) on June 7, with both games set to kick off at 8:30 p.m.

"We have come up with measures to make it easier for spectators to access the stadium in an orderly and very rapid fashion," Robert 'Bobby' Finzi-Smith, JFF Security Committee chairman, disclosed at a special press briefing at the JFF's offices in New Kingston yesterday.

"The grandstand main entrance is for pedestrians only. That's the gate across from the Bob Marley statue. It will be closed to prevent vehicular access to that point onwards.

"In the past, if you had a bleachers ticket, you could decide your point of entry, which created a bottleneck situation. Now that has changed. The tickets will be labelled to tell which gate you enter. You are able to enter gates 1 to 5 or gates 7 to 10. What this does is divide the crowd in a way that is easier to handle," he pointed out.

"The mindset is that once the tickets are validated and with the security features on the ticket, it will be difficult for the holder of bogus tickets to gain access.

"We are asking that tickets only be purchased from advertised outlets. Tickets will not be sold in the vicinity of the National Stadium," he said.

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Both games will be televised worldwide.

"There is going to be two camera stands in the bleachers and one control room, situated in the section facing the grandstand, known as 'little grandstand'. This will take up some 500 seats. We have put Traffic Sport there because it is a game that needs to be televised worldwide. Security will be around that structure," Smith added.

He also emphasised that persons will not be allowed to just sit anywhere they choose in the grandstand.

"The grandstand ticket holder must sit in their assigned seats. The ushers will have some police assistants, who will remove persons sitting in the wrong seats."

Smith also said: "There will be more than adequate signs and frequent announcements on bullhorns to give directions.

"We will also ensure that property is protected, although it's a standard that parking lots in Jamaica are at owners' risk. I cannot give too much details on our security plans," he added.

Horace Glaze, deputy general manager, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, endorsed the safety and security measures.

"We are very supportive of the arrangement for these games," he said. "We have been working with the team. The arrangement are of a high standard. We will also provide our small team to assist at the games."

Full Caption: From left: Jamaica Football Federation General Secretary Raymond Grant and Vice-president Raymond Anderson speak with Senior Superintendent of Police Assan Thompson while Horace Glaze, deputy general manager, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, looks on, during a press conference at the JFF's head office in New Kingston yesterday. The briefing was held to announce security and safety measures for Jamaica's two World Cup Qualifying football matches against Mexico and the United States next month. - PHOTO BY Marc Stamp