Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) KNIGHT AND BLAINE
HEAD OF the Clarendon Police Division, Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, has threatened to prosecute nightclub operators in the parish who have been employing minors as go-go dancers.
"We will be using covert and overt operations to prosecute club owners who are engaging in this act," the tough-talking superin-tendent told The Gleaner yesterday.
He took the decision following the disappearance of a 13-year-old who was reported missing for two weeks. Investigations led the police to a nightclub in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, where the teenager was employed as a dancer.
"We are now in the process of seeking legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to prosecute the owner of the club," said Superintendent Knight.
The move by Supt. Knight has been described as good news by Betty-Ann Blaine, conveyor of child advocacy group Hear the Children's Cry.
SEX TRADE GATEWAY
"The gateway to human trafficking is through the sex trade, and I believe that this will impact against crime on our children," said Blaine.
She further said that a number of minors have been lured into the sex trade through massage parlours and that the move by Superin-tendent Knight should send a strong message to the perpetrators.
"It will encourage citizens to speak up as well," added Ms. Blaine.
Head of the Organised Crime Investigation Division, Senior Superintendent Devon Watkis, said his unit has been actively involved in a series of operations throughout the island, probing a number of cases involving the exploitation of women and abuses against children.
CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION ACT
"Right now, there is a case before the court involving a St. Catherine club," said SSP Watkis.
He said persons involved in such offences can be charged under the Child Care and Protection Act. SSP Watkis said his unit was ready to assist at the divisional level with the investigation of any such cases brought to their attention.
Under Section 66 of the Offences Against the Person Act, anyone found guilty of the offence is likely to be fined a sum of $2,000 or a prison term not exceeding one year.
