Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

Peterkin ... worried that the fund (TEF) is slowly being diverted to dealing with other issues. - File

WESTERN BUREAU:

Government's planned use of monies from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) across the island has raised concerns for at least one member of the business community in Montego Bay, St. James.

Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), told The Gleaner yesterday that, while he is pleased with the plan to improve the security along Montego Bay's Hip Strip, he is concerned about the funds being taken from the TEF.

"This is something that we have advocated for in the whole looking at improving security, not just on the Hip Strip, but in the city," Mr. Peterkin said. "However, I am surprised that it is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (and) I am just worried that the fund is slowly being diverted to dealing with other issues than what it was originally intended."

He pointed out that the fund was initially established to improve the appearance and condition of the resort areas.

Negative trend

"The job has to be done, and it would be a fantastic improvement to the whole security apparatus in the resort area, but I am concerned that this could set a trend where we are using the TEF for other than enhancement," Mr. Peterkin added.

Through a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Tourism, Entertain-ment and Culture, and the Ministry of National Security, $24 million has been allocated to establish mobile police stations and the installation of closed-circuit television units.

Focus will be placed on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston, and resort areas in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip'.

Yesterday Dr. Wykeham McNeill, State Minister for Tourism, said there were more elements to tourism enhancement than beautification.

And Pauline Reid, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told The Gleaner yesterday that, while the CCTV may act as a deterrent for would-be lawbreakers, the installation of CCTV units would pack more punch if the tapes were admissible in court.