MONTEGO BAY, St James

Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer says his board will withdraw the $8 million earmarked for the purchase of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to be installed along Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip' unless the Police High Command moves swiftly to procure the equipment.

The board, Dyer says, will decide when it meets later this month, on how much longer it will give the Police High Command to source the cameras.

"We are going to meet and discuss it and set a deadline, and if they don't come up with the equipment by then, we will have to withdraw the offer," an apparently frustrated Dyer stressed.

Just over a year ago, the Police High Command successfully lobbied the TEF to allocate $22 million to purchase the cameras, as well as a mobile police command and control unit to undertake surveillance along the popular 'Hip Strip' in the resort city.

Dyer noted that last year, the mobile unit which was purchased at a cost of $14 million was commissioned into service but pointed out that to date, the cameras have not been sourced.

The cameras and the mobile unit are expected to play a major role in ensuring the safety of visitors and locals alike who use the 'Hip Strip'. Specifically, the equipment, it is believed, will minimise tourist harassment in the city of Montego Bay.

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