By Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORT ANTONIO, Portland:
THE POLICE Federation has expressed concerns about its members being exposed to health risks while manning the refugee shelters in Port Antonio, Portland. The federation notes that it is planning a meeting with National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips to voice the concern.
General Secretary of the federation's executive, Corporal Raymond Wilson, said the main area of concern is at the Winnifred Rest Home in Fairy Hill where most of the Haitian refugees are being housed.
"Police officers on a daily basis have to mingle with the Haitians, whom we understand have diseases that are easily transmitted," he said. "The police officers have not been vaccined, and as a result are exposed. They are also forced to use the same toilet facility with the Haitians".
Some 334 Haitian boat people are being housed at the Winnifred Rest Home property in Fairy Hill. The influx of refugees has created a strain on the resources of the police throughout the parish.
Inspector Wilfred Penn of the Port Antonio Station, in an interview with The Gleaner, said police officers provide 24-hour security to the Haitians at the makeshift refugee camp at Fairy Hill.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS
"Under sloppy and adverse conditions, security is maintained," he said. "We provide round-the-clock security to the Haitians, without meals, toilet facility, and also without a shelter. It is now the rainy season and many have suffered during the inclement weather. It is about time measures are put in place to safeguard the police's health."
Constable Andrew Aitken, stationed at the refugee shelter, added that the conditions at the shelter are unhealthy and not fit for humans.
"We have no toilet facility. Whenever we want to urinate, we have to make use of the nearby bushes," he said.
Corporal Aitken stated that female officers have been facing some difficult times, as like the male officers, they too have to 'weather the storm'.
"Sometimes at nights, female officers, have to use the nearby bushes to urinate, and if it gets worse, they have to ask a neighbour for the use of their private sanitary convenience", he added.
The co-ordinated effort of the Portland police in providing security to the Haitians, started on February 14 - when the first set of Haitian boat people, of 10 men, including eight heavily armed police officers, landed in Manchioneal.
