Kingston, Jamaica, December 8, 2016 – Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, is appealing to persons not to misuse the 119 police emergency number. He noted that of the 32,000 calls to the number daily, 22,000 are prank calls, which are clogging up the system. The Minister urged persons to desist from the irresponsible practice, noting that this could delay assistance to persons in genuine emergencies.
He also appealed for responsible use of the panic button on the Stay Alert app. The button is programmed to respond once a stress-related request is detected. “We are making an appeal to persons to stop playing with the emergency service,” Mr. Montague said, while addressing the official handover of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at the Islington Police Station in St. Mary on Wednesday (December 7).
Turning to measures to strengthen border security, the Minister informed that the Government is in the process of acquiring two coastguard boats and an airplane to improve monitoring of the coastline in order to prevent the flow of guns, drugs and ammunition into the island.
“The acquisition… will help to secure our boarders because we are putting on board state-of-the-art equipment,” he said. He also informed that an additional 15 immigration officers will be assigned to airports to speed up the processing of travelers.
