Tamara King, Staff Reporter
JAMAICA HAS tightened security at its ports of entry in the wake of the United States-led war in Iraq, to detect and prevent any acts of terrorism here.
Security personnel have been increased at the ports, patrols have been stepped up and access control measures tightened. Certain vessels are also being escorted on arrival and departure from the island.
Lt. Commander John McFarlane, managing director of the Ports Security Corps, said that since the war started on March 19, "Procedures have been tightened and the number of persons responsible for security have been increased."
According to Commander McFarlane, "It is important to note that prior to 9/11 the security at the port of Kingston was at a higher level than had been required by the U.S. and other international standards. This is because we were careful about the contamination of cargos resulting from drugs-related issues," he said.
The 9/11 terrorist attack on America brought with it heightened awareness to terrorism and Mr. McFarlane said that his agency has been paying attention to susceptible sources. "With respect to the ZIM vessels, there have always been a very high standard of security because of the terrorist threat to ZIM," he said, explaining that these ships are owned by the Israeli Government.
Mr. McFarlane noted that at present the focus is still on drugs, but with the war being waged in the Middle East, emphasis is also on detecting and preventing any acts of terrorism.
Stringent access control measures have been put in place and persons and vehicles having access to the ports are being monitored closely, he said.
One JDF coast guard who spoke to The Sunday Gleaner on conditions of anonymity said, "In the past, emphasis was mostly placed on contraband detection. However, with recent developments we have heightened security and we have stepped up our patrols in and around our ports of entry. Vessels that would be more susceptible to terrorism because they are owned by countries in the Middle East are constantly under surveillance and it is ensured that these vessels are escorted on arrival and departure."
John Ulett of Security Administration Ltd., which is a private company with responsibility for the provision of security at Port Bustamante, told The Sunday Gleaner that security has been increased at the port since the start of the war.
He said that the staff has been retrained and there have been frequent seminars to update them on new security measures that need to be adopted.
"Secondly, there are additional areas where we have put armed personnel which we did not have before," he said.
Superintendent James Forbes, who heads the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), agrees that the authorities have increased security as a result of the war.
"There has been increased vigilance and heightened sensitivity at the respective ports of entry. The intelligence community has also increased its vigilance and has forged a much closer partnership with the international intelligence agencies," he said.
In a statement to the House of Representative on Tuesday, March 18, Prime Minister Patterson said: "Measures to enhance the security and integrity of our country, including at all ports of entry, will be enhanced. All Jamaicans must be alert for we know not from whence acts of terror will come."
Late last year, the Cabinet approved a $34.2 million contract awarded to Hawkeye Electronic Security Ltd., which will see to the supplying and installation of a sophisticated CCTV (Close Circuit Television Cameras) at Jamaica's two main seaports.
