On March 14, the Jamaican Ministry of National Security launched its National Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System, dubbed Jamaica Eye in a bid to intensify the fight against crime.
Modern, effective, sustainable
National Security Minister Robert Montague says the initiative has come at a critical time. “This launch is historic, exceptional…game-changing. I want to see our two political parties leading the way on this. My dream is that as nation-building institutions, we must agree on some rules, objectives, standards and a road map for national security. Since I was appointed Minister of National Security, at the very top of my mandate was to craft modern, effective and sustainable approaches to tackling crime. JamaicaEye is one such initiative.”
The minister said, the program is being implemented with five hundred cameras. Eventually, the project will be expanded as citizens and private business operators with cameras overlooking public spaces allow their feeds to be accessed by the security forces.
A collaborative approach
The plan calls for the project to establish a collaborative approach among key stakeholders, including the public-private sector and the Security Ministry to establish a collective approach to CCTV surveillance.
Lauded by DIGICEL
The project has been lauded by telecommunications firm Digicel.
“The team at Digicel is impressed by the project and we fully endorse this initiative. We need to appreciate the fact that technology is an enabler to propel proper governance and I believe the JamaicaEye initiative is the proper action at the right time,” said Director of Digicel Enterprise, Brian Bennett-Easy.
In highlighting Jamaica’s future destination and the impact the initiative will have on curbing crime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of national Security, Dianne McIntosh said, “JamaicaEye is not just about the Ministry or the Security Forces. It is about every Jamaican because to make Jamaica safe, it has to be a partnership among all of us.”
The Ministry of National Security has already implemented cameras in public spaces in the Corporate Area, the tourist capital of Montego Bay, the tourist resort towns of Ocho Rios and Negril and in the central towns of Mandeville and May Pen.
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