Chang talks security boost for St Catherine

Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says the bolstering security in Spanish Town, Bog Walk, and Linstead in St Catherine is vital for the retention of business as well as its growth prospects.

Chang, on Wednesday, met with members of the St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, headed by Dennis Robotham and a group of core business leaders to discuss the security challenges facing the business community.

They pointed out that extortion, traffic snarls and public disorder in the three major towns are posing a serious concern and are harming prospects for the development of these spaces.

In response, Chang said that the police are taking a closer look at what can be done to fix the problem.

"These communities have a known crime factor. The police are aware of this and are doing their best to deal with the matter, but what I can tell you is that we will be doubling our efforts through the use of digital technology to get these criminals," Chang said.

He said that the police will be given the necessary tools to quell all types of crimes and disorder in these towns.

"Your Government is making sure the use of digital technology is advanced to the point where the police will have a significant advantage in tackling organised crime of all kinds," Chang said.

Key to this, according to Minister Chang, would be the installation of additional cameras on the JamaicaEye Network, increased manpower and the procurement of additional vehicles and motorcycles for the police.