- Norman GrindleyRepresentatives from Seiko, official timers for the 9th IAAF/Coca-Cola World Junior Championships, making adjustments to their equipment at the National Stadium yesterday. The six-day meet starts on Tuesday.
CRIME-FIGHTING efforts won't be hindered by the 9th IAAF/Coca-Cola World Junior Championships in Athletics being held at the National Stadium this week, even though hundreds of lawmen are being pulled from the streets to provide tight security at the event, police say.
Senior Superintendent Linval Bailey, head of the Operations Branch, told The Sunday Gleaner that normal police activity will continue, and members of the Force are going beyond the call of duty to ensure this.
"We won't allow the games to affect normal policing as it is important for present strategies and operations to continue," SSP Bailey said.
Continuing at the same level, however, will require drawing members of the security forces from rural parishes, as well as having officers work double time.
"We have scaled down administrative functions, (we) are pulling people from all across the island and have asked persons to work extra hours to make up. Mind you, this is not a situation that is sustainable, but for the week of the games we are committed to doing what is necessary to keep both our country and the games functioning well - it is critical to do both," SSP Bailey said.
He disclosed that more than 700 officers will be on duty at the games.
Police officers on duty will screen all participants and visitors for weapons and firearms, provide security escorts, perform static duty as well as traffic and crowd control. A bomb disposal team will also be on standby.
However, SSP Bailey pointed out that Jamaica does not have any history of criminal interference with major international events.
"We do not have a history of interference with public events, be it local games or the Queen's visit. I do not anticipate any problems and our intelligence has not picked up anything untoward," SSP Bailey said.
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Barclay, chairman of the Security Committee for Kingston 2002 Local Organising Committee, said special provisions will be made to protect high-risk countries.
"There are some countries to which special attention will have to be paid in terms of providing special security," said Lt. Col. Barclay.
He was referring to countries such as Israel and the United States of America, which are on alert for possible terrorist threats or attacks.
The more than 2,000 athletes and officials from 177 countries will be housed at the campuses of the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology, where police posts will be established.
"There will be police patrols on the campuses and dorms, as well as police escort for all trips to and from airports and other destinations. The Police Force will also be supported by several hundred security volunteers and private security firms," Lt. Col. Barclay said.
This demand on the security forces has come at a time when the Police Force has declared zero tolerance on criminals. With concentrated and strategic presence in the areas of Kingston and St. Catherine where there has been an upsurge of crime, the police have managed to decrease the incidence of major crimes over the past two weeks.
This operation has required the participation of a large number of Corporate Area personnel. But SSP Bailey assures that this won't change during the week of the games.
At the same time, Lt. Col. Barclay is confident that "we are prepared to handle anything. Be it fire, flood, earthquake, hostage situation or bomb threat - we have the resources, capability and manpower to deal with it."
- Klao Bell
