By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Above: Flanked by his deputies, Tilford Johnson (left) and Jevene Bent, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes talks about his 20-point security plan for the election at a press briefing yesterday.
Right: Two of the five helicopters that will be used by the island's security forces for Election Day coverage. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
FRANCIS FORBES, the Commissioner of Police, said that his team is ready to provide security across the island's 60 constituencies tomorrow, Election Day.
"The security plans which we have put in place are unprecedented in this country's history," declared Commissioner Forbes at a press briefing at his St. Andrew office yesterday where he spoke about his 20-point security plan.
The Police Force has also acquired five helicopters, which will play an integral part in the security strategy on Election Day. Commissioner Forbes said that he did not know how much they would cost the Government, or if there was an arrangement to purchase them.
Included in the Commis-sioner's 20-point security plan are: adequate police coverage at all polling stations, from open to close; and a full escort system for electoral officials and vehicles transporting ballot boxes from polling stations to counting centres.
There will be adequate security at counting centres islandwide and personnel and equipment will be strategically deployed across the troubled constituencies, assured Commissioner Forbes.
Police personnel will be attired in red or blue seam uniforms, while inspectors and members of the officer corps will be clad in their customary khaki uniforms, he explained. Detectives and parish specials will wear vests, easily identified by letters or numbers.
With everything now in place and the security forces in a state of readiness, Commissioner Forbes has joined the growing number of persons and groups calling for a peaceful election.
"Let no more blood be shed over politics; let no more property be destroyed over politics. Let us demonstrate to our children that we can show respect for each other's choices and not resort to violent means," declared the police chief.
"I want to remind my fellow Jamaicans that the world is watching us. The Carter Center team, led by no less a person that Nobel laureate, former President Jimmy Carter, will be monitoring our election and numerous members of the international media have already arrived in the island," he said. "It is, therefore, extremely important that these elections are conducted in peace, order and safety. The negative behaviour of a few influences how all of us are viewed by the world, so it is in the interest of everyone to keep the peace."
On the weekend, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, in a joint statement, reiterated their appeal for peace. "We want to make it clear that we do not condone violence of any sort," the leaders said. "Anyone in our respective parties caught or found breaking the law will not only be severely disciplined by the party, but will be turned over to the police."
