THE HOUSE of Representatives on Tuesday approved a private member's motion calling for the establishment of a national database of cellular phones in response to the rising threat of instrument theft and accompanying violent assault.
Andrew Holness, Opposition Member of Parliament for South East St. Andrew, tabled the motion last year after the March 16 murder of Mesha Gaye Tomlin.
Mesha Gay, a resident of Mr. Holness' constituency, was stabbed to death as thugs attempted to steal her cellular phone. She was just one of a number of persons who have been attacked in recent years as persons attempt to steal their mobile phones.
Mr. Holness reasoned that if a database of phones was established, and the unauthorised reprogramming of International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) numbers criminalised, potential thieves could be deterred.
"With a database of all phones and their assignment, stolen phones can be reported and upon establishment of proof of ownership these phones can be blacklisted or remotely shut down or barred from the network," Mr. Holness said. "If these steps are taken then the incentive to steal phones for resale on a black market or for personal reuse would be greatly reduced, as the probability of the phone being barred would be great."
He added: "We need to take these steps so that the next time a young sixth form girl is on her way home from school with her phone, the criminal will say to himself, 'nice phone but it is of no use to me if I take it, because it will probably be barred by the time I try to sell it'."
BLOW TO BLACK MARKET
Mr. Holness also noted that buyers would also be more wary of buying phones on the black market.
The motion was supported by members from both sides of the House.
Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell told the House his Ministry would take the Opposition Member's proposals into account and that the legislation would be crafted and returned to Parliament to bring life to the content of the motion.
The motion was passed without amendment.
