‘Be very careful’ - Portland police warns residents of illegal immigrant risks

The police in Portland are urging residents to be cautious and consider certain risks if faced with a repeat of last Monday's arrival of 37 Haitian nationals.

The group landed on the Boston Beach aboard a small boat and were assisted by residents before the authorities arrived.

Head of the Portland police, Superintendent Lloyd Darby, while commending the residents for the kindness they extended, highlighted several possibilities for future consideration.

"The citizens who first encountered the Haitians did a commendable humanitarian job by assisting them with food and water upon arrival. However, I caution that if there is a repeat of this kind of mass arrival, that the citizens be careful of the risk of persons among the group who might be armed," he said.

Darby was speaking during Thursday's Portland Municipal Corporation meeting in Port Antonio.

"[There is] also the possibility of the risk of infectious diseases. So [residents] should properly mask themselves [during] their interaction with them before the authorities reach," the senior officer added.

The senior cop said interviews were also conducted by the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch, and he is awaiting the unit's feedback "to see if there is anybody among the group that is of national security interest, whether in Jamaica or in their home country of Haiti".

In the meantime, Medical Officer of Health for Portland Dr Sharon Lewis endorsed the superintendent's caution, while providing a report on the health profile of the Haitians.

She informed that the 37 persons were processed at the Port Antonio Health Centre and received aid from member agencies of the Parish Disaster Committee.

"They received medical checks and were, for the most part, in good health. Some of them had mild to moderate dehydration. Those with respiratory symptoms were all tested for COVID-19, and we are glad to say that all results were negative," Lewis reported.

She further indicated that the entire group returned negative malaria results. They will continue to be monitored and treated by the health team in St Mary.