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Western Bureau:
The Jamaican government says it will invest $10 billion into the new “Western Special Operations Centre”, which will be based at Montego Hill in St James, as part of its multifaceted strategy to fight crime.
The project was highlighted at the 10th Jamaica Diaspora Biennial Conference, where National Security Chief Technical Director Delroy Simpson outlined several key initiatives designed to strengthen law enforcement and reduce crime on the island.
Simpson’s speech showcased Jamaica’s extensive efforts and significant investment to strengthen the fight against crime.
Simpson confirmed The Gleaners Following his presentation, the building design has been finalized, the concept has been approved, and will go forward for final submission.
The Western Special Operations Force (similar to the previous Mobile Reserve Force) is expected to take three years to complete and is designed to accommodate 500 police officers.
“The facility will be strategically located on a hill overlooking downtown Montego Bay and complements our proximity policing strategy. Having a facility like this in a volatile area will be significant in curbing criminal activity in the area,” shared Simpson.
Montego Hills borders Salt Springs, a community that has suffered a tarnished reputation over the years due to gang warfare.
Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang said last month that the facility is one of three major construction projects – the other two being the Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters and the St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters – with a total investment of J$15 billion.
On Monday, the technical director shared another major investment, a state-of-the-art forensic pathology autopsy suite on Orange Street in downtown Kingston, valued at $650 million, which he said is 98 percent complete.
Simpson said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), as the country’s primary law enforcement agency, faces severe institutional challenges, including deteriorating policing structures, limited use of technology, manual policing processes, and manpower and mobility issues.
He revealed that an assessment of police stations across the island in 2018 showed that 115 out of 213 police stations were in a serious state of disrepair, with 15 stations deemed beyond repair.
In response, he said the ministry had initiated a project in partnership with the National Housing Trust and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund that had so far seen the completion of 148 major renovation projects at a cost of just over $2 billion.
In addition, the construction of nine new stations is expected to be completed by the end of this fiscal year, with an investment of US$1.3 billion.
“Five new stations are currently undergoing the public investment process and construction work has also begun on two large facilities at Westmoreland and St. Catherines North Division headquarters, with a total value of $5 billion,” he told attendees at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Monday afternoon.
Simpson noted that investment in technology is an important aspect of improving crime-fighting capabilities, and disclosed that the Jamaica Eyes surveillance program, launched in 2018, has about 900 cameras installed, with a further 350 cameras expected to be installed by the end of the current financial year, bringing the total to more than 1,200 cameras, representing an investment of $1.7 billion.
With the introduction of electronic tickets, the traffic ticket management system has also been significantly upgraded.
Currently, the railway department is deploying 3,800 electronic ticketing devices and developing a new ticket management system at a cost of more than $1 billion. In addition, 28 stations have implemented station management systems to replace traditional station diaries.
“Efficient and secure communications are essential to effective policing,” he said, noting that the police department has invested heavily in enhancing its communications network, including radio networks, computer-aided dispatch and microwave systems. There are currently 63 stations connected to the microwave system, with a total investment of $1.5 billion.
To meet mobility challenges, the JCF purchased 1,477 vehicles, significantly increasing its operational capabilities.
He revealed that the total investment amounted to US$19.2 billion.
Simpson noted that the multidimensional nature of Jamaica’s crime problem requires a comprehensive, multifaceted and sustained response.
“This comprehensive approach is structured around three pillars: strengthening the legislative framework for serious crime, reimagining social intervention strategies, and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement to respond more effectively.”
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