The Terrorism Prevention Act was passed in April, but just how prepared are local law enforcement officials to deal with acts of terrorism? They’re ready, and more than capable, according to minister of national security Dr Peter Phillips.

“Since September 11, 2001 we have put in place the appropriate provisions, not only legislative, but surveillance and training arrangements,” he tells the Sunday Observer.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds, who is responsible for internal security in addition to his role as head of Operation Kingfish, says Jamaica has had anti-terrorism strategies in place for many years.

“Jamaica, like most countries, has always seen terrorism as a threat to national security,” he says. “But in recent years we have enhanced our capabilities to react, with attention to the counter-terrorism and response stages.”

While not giving details, in the interest of national security, he says counter-terrorism training – which is carried out locally – has been enhanced since the terror attacks on the US in 2001 when commercial jets were hijacked and used to bomb and destroy the World Trade Centre twin towers in New York City and damage the Pentagon building in Washington, D C.

“Persons are specially trained to respond to these eventualities. But our main focus is on prevention,” Hinds says.

Both the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force have bomb squads in place, a recently beefed-up cadre of internationally trained explosives specialists that would be among the first responders in the event of a bomb threat.

A number of changes also had to be made to meet international requirements put in place post-9/11, particularly at points of entry for persons and cargo. The senior cop says this has resulted in a tighter travel control regime.

“We now have passport-reading machines for arriving and departing passengers, so we know exactly who is in our country and that they are properly documented,” he says.

He also notes that Jamaica was “busily implementing” Annex 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations that address movement of terrorists, as well as adjustments to our own Civil Aviation Authority requirements. The air and sea aspects of local operations are up to standard, he says.

“We have been inspected by the Federal Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority, audited and granted positive ratings. And most of our ships have been certified by the International Ships and Port Security Code that allows for maritime traffic,” Hinds tells the Sunday Observer.

It has long been held that Jamaica, and other tourism spots frequented by Americans, may be seen as soft targets. And last June, US anti-terrorism expert Stephen Flynn warned Jamaica that the country’s extensive network of gangs and criminals could be exploited by terrorists, who could find them a cheap source for doing their dirty work.

“I think the primary issue for Jamaica remains confronting its crime problem effectively so the terrorists have less (fruitful) ground to exploit,” said the retired US Coast Guard Commander who is now an international consultant on terrorism.

He was speaking with the Observer in Montego Bay after he made a presentation at a closed-door session during a conference of air and seaport security officials.

While Jamaica is not considered a primary target or a known terrorist haven, ACP Hinds says security officers are on constant alert.

“It is a major concern for us. There are no known terror groups in Jamaica, but we are accessible to countries considered hard targets, and a number of our trading partners have been targeted,” he says. “We are prepared, to the extent our resources allow, and we certainly have what we need to respond to any realistic threat or attack.”

International regulations changed in the aftermath of 9/11 – the worst and most publicised terrorist attack in US history which claimed the lives of 3,173 people.

The United Nations now requires that certain conditions aimed at preventing a recurrence of such acts of terrorism be met by signatory countries, including Jamaica. These are contained in UN Resolution 1373 of September 28, 2001, which reaffirmed that such acts constitute a threat to international peace and security.

Among the conditions are commitments by governments to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, and criminalise the wilful provision or collection of funds for such acts. They must also take the necessary steps to prevent terrorist acts and ensure that anyone who has participated in the financing, planning, preparation, support or perpetration of such acts is brought to justice.

They should also ensure that terrorist acts are established as serious criminal offences.

These considerations were included in the Terrorism Prevention Act passed by the Jamaican Senate after much debate over the sacrificing of personal liberties and possible misuse of sweeping state powers.

The UN resolution also made reference to links with international terrorism and transnational organised crime, illicit drugs, money laundering and illegal movement of nuclear, chemical, biological and other deadly materials.

The need for enhanced co-ordination of national and international efforts to bolster global response to that threat to international security was noted. ACP Hinds says this link is at the heart of local efforts.

Jamaica is directing most of its efforts toward detection and prevention.

“We have enhanced our border control mechanisms and improved our maritime assets to reduce drug-running and gun-smuggling,” he says.

“Terrorists and these criminal elements are one and the same, with the terrorists using the borders and funds from the activities to fund their operations. That is why it’s so important to secure our borders.”

According to Phillips, Jamaica is working closely with its regional neighbours.

“We also feel this is an area in which there is scope for a regional response and mutual assistance agreements, as we continue to seek solutions to the threat from organised crime. It’s always an area we are dealing with. We continue to update our plans, and the region as a whole is looking at this issue.”