THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE ANNOUNCEMENT of a new police headquarters is good news. However, there are a few concerns that one would wish to raise.
The new location is the former Jamintel building, situated at the corner of Duke and North streets. An immediate concern is whether that building can be suitably adapted for the intended purposes; and are the grounds large enough to provide adequate parking facilities and space for future expansion?
The location and adjoining areas are congested and pose a serious conflagration exposure. Among the exposure is a disproportionate amount of police infrastructure buildings, equipment, transportation and auxiliaries. Parliament is within proximity. Most disconcerting is the reality that the relocation will add to an existing heavy concentration of police and security personnel.
The police headquarters does not necessarily have to be located in downtown Kingston, or within the city, for that matter. For the purposes of security and accessibility, decentralisation rather than centralisation would appear to be a better option.
I am, etc.,
LIONEL RUSSELL
Ensom City
St Catherine
