By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
EXPERTS HAVE warned that the massive influx of people into the island during the Yuletide season heightens the vulnerability of the country's borders to contraband.
But, the watchdogs of the island's ports say they are ready and waiting to pounce on any illegality during the Christmas rush.
"There is more traffic and with it comes vulnerability of more people being on the port moving to and fro and more goods coming in and that can lead to more of everything coming in," said Superintendent James Forbes, vice-president of security at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ).
"From our own experiences, we are cognisant of the increased activities and as of such we have stepped up our security arrangements to accommodate the increased traffic and increased activity on the port."
Due to security reasons, Superintendent Forbes was reluctant to reveal the additional measures implemented to tighten the grip on the seaports. However, he said the bar has already been raised with the implementation of a strategically structured plan, which is expected to remain in place until early February 2005.
Said Forbes: "We have elevated the levels that we would have normally used so as to accommodate that increase... (so) from a security perspective, we are satisfied with the level of security that we have employed to the port."
GLITCH IN NEW SYSTEM
In August, it was reported that there were some glitches dogging the new US$2 million (J$120 million at the time) high-tech computerised immigration system for which testing had started at the island's two main airports.
The new system, which is being installed courtesy of the United States Government, forms part of the Jamaican Government's thrust to regulate the island's immigration system, as well as to stem the smuggling of illegal drugs, guns and ammunition.
The Gleaner was unable to contact Leighton Wilson, director of Immigration Services in the Ministry of National Security, for an update on the new equipment yesterday. However, Major Phillip Campbell, director corporate security at Air Jamaica, expressed the view that security at the island's airports was at an acceptable standard.
"Since 9/11, there has been tremendous upgrading of the security at both airports and it is an ongoing process and I am very satisfied that we have made tremendous strides improving our airport security," said Major Phillips.
Forbes: We are aware of the increased traffic and we have beefed up security.
