Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Assistant Police Commissioner Owen Ellington (right), coordinator of the Local Security Committee, addresses Wednesday's press briefing to unveil aspects of the local security plans to be implemented before and during the hosting of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup at the ICC headquarters on Oxford Road, St. Andrew. At left is Senior Superintendent of Police Elan Powell. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
LOCAL LAW enforcement, stretched by record homicides and urban crime, stated on Wednesday that they are adequately prepared to combat any criminal threat to next year's World Cup cricket tournament.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Owen Ellington, outlined security preparations for the month-long tournament during a press conference at the Kingston offices of Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited.
ACP Ellington said that, with statistics showing a 20 per cent drop in homicides compared to last year, he was optimistic the trend would continue up to when the World Cup bowls off at Sabina Park in March.
He, however, warned that with the diversity of the World Cup teams, the Caribbean is a potential target for terrorists.
TRADITIONAL TARGET
"The Caribbean is not considered a traditional target for terrorists but the circumstances of '07 could change all that," he said. "There are geo-political issues in home states of countries which will be competing and that could be imported into the region and mar the tournament."
He added: "We have been watching these developments and will continue to monitor them closely."
ACP Ellington, who is also the coordinator for the tournament's Local Security Committee, said regional forces gained critical training in several disciplines to meet the challenges that a showpiece such as the World Cup demands.
In late March, a joint American/British military team from Exercise Tradewinds conducted a two-week training programme in Jamaica. These drills were held at Up Park Camp in St. Andrew and other locations across the country.
The Tradewinds sessions attracted law enforcement officers from 17 Caribbean territories.
CROWD VIOLENCE
They were trained in how to deal with crowd violence, increased trafficking of arms and aliens, terrorist attacks and terrorist negotiations.
ACP Ellington said the police will be working with the Jamaica Defence Force, the Airport Authority, Port Authority and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to maintain order in their respective fields.
Jamaica is one of seven territories where matches will be played. The new stadium in Trelawny will host the opening ceremony as well as four warm-up matches.
Sabina Park hosts the opening fixture between the West Indies and Pakistan which takes place on March 11 next year. In all, seven matches including a semi-final, will be played there.
