Erica James-King, Senior Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE GROWING concerns over the island's run-away murder rate, talks by the authorities of a technological solution to intercepting the supply of guns coming into Jamaica, have remained just that - talks.
The police have repeatedly blamed the trade in guns for fuelling the island's murder rate, yet a high level of uncertainty shrouds the timetable for the purchase and installation of machines needed to block gun smuggling.
Five months ago, Transport Minister, Robert Pickersgill, announced that his Ministry would introduce X-ray machines for scrutinizing import and export cargo as part of the new security measures for the island's ports of entry.
But those promises are yet to come to fruition. At the time, the minister said his ministry would be expending $1 billion on port security measures, of which an integral part was the acquisition of X-ray machines.
To date, the X-ray machines for the ports have not been ordered.
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Mr. Pickersgill, under whose portfolio responsibility for the island's sea and airports falls, confirmed that the X-ray machines for the ports "have not been ordered yet".
And in reference to both the purchase and installation of the equipment, he said, "I cannot tell you whether it will happen before year-end."
Mr. Pickersgill indicates that his Ministry is shopping around for the best type of X-ray equipment suited to the needs of the island and one that toes international security standards.
"They (X-ray machines) have not been ordered yet, but it is not because we don't want to. But because we are dotting every 'I' and crossing every 'T'. Promoters of types of equipment who have heard, have been at us to say theirs is better and the competition is out there...but we are being very careful," he said.
Emphasising that "We are very close to making a decision," Minister Pickergill was at pains to point out, "We have set up relevant committees. The committees have met and they have made recommendations. Even after the committees have made their recommendations, we want to be sure that what we are ordering will find favour with the United States."
NOT COMPLETELY SOLVED
But the country's problems will not be over once the X-ray machines are ordered. Instead, the island seems poised for another lengthy delay and waiting period, before the equipment are actually procured and installed.
"The one (type of X-ray machine) that we are looking at now and tend to be favouring, the Americans have ordered a number of them. Were we to fall in line, we would have to wait a protracted period. We are hoping we will be slipped into the line, so that we can get our machines," Mr. Pickersgill told The Sunday Gleaner.
An outlay of US$20 million is being earmarked to purchase between 10 and 11 X-ray machines for the island's ports. These machines will be able to put under greater scrutiny, entire containers and other items coming through our ports.
Meanwhile, the police are calling on those in Government to stop the foot-dragging and put the necessary technology in place to curb the flow of illegal guns into the country.
Superintendent James Forbes, head of the Constabulary Communication Network is one of the lawmen who have echoed this plea.
"We have been saying for years that X-ray machines and moves to clean up any corruption among the persons who man the ports is necessary and will cause many people to desist from bringing in the guns. Let's hope that matter will be addressed soon," he said.
Mr. Forbes is of the view that a concerted effort must be made to ensure that persons at the ports of entry and those in communities who facilitate the entry of the firearms, realise that although they did not pull the trigger, they are responsible for children dying and for the poor image of Jamaica on the international scene.
Insisting that tougher legislation for those who bring in the guns, must be part of the way forward, Superintendent Forbes argues that most guns reaching the hands of local people are slipping through the cracks at the established ports of entry.
"Homemade guns are a problem but not a significant problem. There is also no indication that go-fast boats are bringing in most of the guns. The sea and airports are where the guns are primarily being smuggled in."
The comments by Superinten-dent Forbes come amidst repeated announcements by the Government that stiffer legislation is coming for offences including firearm importation and distribution.
Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, made the announcement in the 2002/2003 Sectoral Debate on June 18, and proposed legislation on that matter was again implied by the minister, when he announced last week that a new crime plan was in the making. The new crime plan is to be unveiled within six weeks. The Prime Minister has also spoken repeatedly on stiffer penalties for arms importers.
PERSONS SUSPECTED AS TARGETS
Meanwhile, Woodrow Smith, director of Security and Narcotics in the National Security Ministry, told a drug awareness conference last Wednesday that a proposed legislation for Jamaica patterned off the Proceeds of Crime Act in the United Kingdom, would target persons suspected of involvement in arms trafficking and or drugs smuggling. The aim of the legislation is to have those persons under surveillance, justify their assets.
Between January and November 14 this year, 382 illegal guns were recovered from the nation's streets, and the police believe hundreds more are in the hands of unscrupulous persons.
Over the last few years, the number of guns seized annually has exceeded the 400 mark, numbering 511 in 1999, 486 in the year 2000 and 546 in 2001.
