Gov’t to boost surveillance to stem illegal gun flow
Helicopters, marine patrol aircraft among new tools to combat problem
NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Dr Horace Chang has reported that the United States (US) has increased its cooperation and support in preventing the illegal flow of firearms from its shores into Jamaica.
Earlier this month, The Gleaner reported that 70 per cent of the illegal guns recovered across Jamaica in 2016 were sourced in the United States. The information was provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF). The finding is based on traces that the ATF conducted on 518 illegal firearms that the Jamaican police seized in 2016 and turned over to their American counterparts.
In November 2017, US authorities seized an arsenal of more than 119 illegal guns and hundreds of assorted rounds of ammunition in the state of Florida that had been destined for St James.
Quizzed about the extent to which the Americans were playing their part in curtailing the flow of guns into Jamaica, Chang said that the issue continued to spark debate. However, he said, “I think we are doing better at it now. They are more cooperative and supportive of the efforts.
“Of course, we have to align our activities – not only in terms of physical patrolling, but [also] our legislation – so that when we work together, there is no [impediment] in apprehending and locking up the criminals out there,” Chang said at a postSectoral Debate press conference at the national security ministry on Oxford Road in St Andrew.
PLANS ON TRACK
Efforts to improve the security of the country’s borders are well under way, according to Chang, who pointed out that plans were on track to acquire helicopters and an aircraft to provide surveillance for the country’s borders.
He said that the Government would acquire five helicopters and a marine patrol aircraft by the end of the current financial year. The aircraft is now being outfitted with the required technology to provide surveillance. Chang added that the Government was also seeking to obtain coastal radar equipment to help monitor the country’s coastline.