By V. Lloyd Simpson, ContributorCRIMES INVOLVING murder, rape, robbery, extortion and other offences have been rampant in Southern St. Catherine for over five years. But in recent months it has been at its highest level and frequently in Greater Portmore as well as in Central Village near Spanish Town.
The situation has spread over those two areas, including Gregory Park, that howls of protest are routine in these areas since citizens are so consumed with fear that they no longer leave their homes after 8:00 at nights.
ROUTINE OCCURRENCES
At the time of writing, Wednesday October 22, statements from the police on the subject matter have given rise to considerable concern, who feel, and I quote: "Portmore is an area where you can't get too comfortable. Anything can happen at anytime as murders and robberies have become routine occurrences daily", according to one police officer at the Greater Portmore Station.
"Crime in Gregory Park is alarming," according to another officer.
Gregory Park is located in close proximity to the racing plant. But commentary from Superintendent Glen Hudson, Commanding Officer for South St. Catherine (which includes areas such as Old Harbour and Old Harbour Bay), was considerably enlightening on the problem in so far as he is of the opinion that gang activity in the area "has been virtually non-existent".
GANG ACTIVITY
This induces some amount of relief, considering the explosion days ago in Canterbury of western Jamaica: a product of gang activity which, was written all over it. And though he was of the opinion that "what we might have are little groups whose operations are not sufficient to be classified as gangs", he made the significant point that "Greater Portmore, not Waterford, is now the hot spot where the murders are spreading all over".
All of the aforementioned commentaries raise the question of whether horseracing at Caymanas Park could be put in danger as a result of the increase in the crime wave over the sprawling Portmore municipality.
Perhaps there is nothing to be concerned about in that context, given the presence of an abundance of security personnel on the compound. Nonetheless, if the argument which I am putting forward in this article, to the effect that if the safety of turfites on racedays as well as trainers, blacksmiths, exercise jockeys, owners, office operatives as well as managerial personnel, is paramount hence non-negotiable, and must be continuously safeguarded from criminal intrusions, further action to beef up security, on top of more security guards, may be necessary.
Hence, my view is that it is high time that the operating company (CTL) take steps to install round-the-clock surveillance technology at the track. Stables and the compound and walls encircling the grounds should be constantly watched.
Cost of installing the technology would be money well spent. Hence the cost-benefit ratio would fall on the side of a decision to install. Crime sneaks into every nook and cranny of business today in Jamaica. Even insiders can't be trusted; some are frequently engaged in schemes and complicity which abuse employees, bilk them out of their money and other resources.
TECHNOLOGY
The promoting company therefore needs to move in the direction of technology as an aid in keeping a hawk's eye on movements within operational areas of enterprises.
Take my word, technology is the answer as maximum protection of the compound and plant as a round-the-clock device. Even nefarious schemes involving doping would be screened.
