THREE months after Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters stole computers and administrative supplies from the National Stadium swimming pool complex during the public session of the party’s 63rd annual conference on November 20, the JLP has reported that a portion of the money to replace the stolen items has been handed over to Independence Park Limited, managers of the stadium complex.

According to a news release from the JLP, General-Secretary Karl Samuda said that the first of two payments to Independence Park Limited was made recently and “the second payment is to be made by the end of the month”.

Samuda reiterated that while the party was not accepting responsibility for the incident, it was compensating Independence Park Limited because the crime occurred while the JLP’s annual conference was taking place. The compensation, he said, represents the commitment the party made immediately after hearing of the break-in.

On November 21, 2006, the Observer had reported that the JLP had offered to replace the stolen equipment and fix damage done to facilities.

At the time, a source told the Observer that Atlas Electronic Security Systems, which provides electronic security for the stadium pools, responded to three alerts and reported the matter to the Stadium police, as well as their clients. The security company, the source said, subsequently responded a fourth time, but could not gain access to the facility because of the large crowd outside the arena.

This was subsequently confirmed by Atlas Security.

The break-in forced Swim Jamaica to cancel activities scheduled for November 21, which affected more than 200 youngsters across the island.

However, the main offices, which house the Swimming Association of Jamaica, were left untouched.

Major Desmond Brown, the general manager of Independence Park Limited, confirmed the incident.

Independence Park Limited also operates the National Arena; the National Indoor Sports Complex; the Leila Robinson Courts; the Basketball Courts and the National Stadium Track.