JAMAICA Observer online readers have criticised National Security Minister Peter Bunting over his confirmation of home robberies being organised by airport workers. Readers say Bunting should have realised that the scheme had been around for years, and should have proposed what is to be done to catch the criminals. Here are some edited comments:

Sosorry

Nothing will change. Crooks will be caught, released, never charged or crooks will be caught, charged but never come to trial. The files will fly away to the heavens to shake hands with divine intervention.

loveyaard

This isn’t new. A couple years ago a policeman working at one of our airports was convicted of this same criminal activity. I tell relatives returning to the island for visits to use a hotel address as a precaution, hence no one will be waiting to rob them on their way from the airport. Crime is so prevalent now, you have to think ahead and be astute about everything you do.

chuck emanuel

Every time I visit my country I have to list a hotel as the place I am staying, even if staying with family. No flight into the island after 4:00p.m. Drive myself to and from the airport. Will not let my guard down.

jayjayja

Here we go again !

Sondon

The other problem is that you now have custom officers asking returning residents how much money they have on them during the checking process! This should never be allowed. Who is to say that customs officer could not make a phone call to one of his/her “confeddies” and before one knows, they are robbed or killed. This practice should never be allowed, especially in the current climate.

aaronomix

Why not make the arrests, THEN announce it. Seems a bit foolish to give the criminals a heads up that you are on to them!

Tony

Bunting, yuh late. Dat is why mi personally pick up mi family; mi tell dem seh nuh mek nobody handle dem luggage. Dis been going on now fi over 10 years.

alsprincess51

What happen if you lose your luggage and it needs to be delivered to you when found?

Richie L

I have noticed for years at both airports that there are too many loiterers hanging around. Who are these people? The authorities need to vet who comes and goes at the airport. If you are not an employee or a contractor or taxi driver at the airport, there is no reason for you to be there day in day out.

Also, this racket of having all and sundry loading luggage must stop. I have had to loudly tell these loaders that I do not need their services on several occasions.

This is another of the free-for-all attitude in Jamaica. Even in the airport, we can’t get away from the chaos.

Paul A Warren

There goes our opportunity to gain some returning residents’ dollars to help build our economy. Minister Bunting, thanks for sharing it with us, but without confirmation that it’s resolved, most potential returning residents will just stay away.

NewYorkviaJamaica

This minister is so late to the party. He just found this out? This collusion between airport workers and criminals has been going on for a long time. No wonder Jamaica is in the state it’s in.

PhilOiseaubay

@NewYorkviaJamaica: But he’s praying hard so expect it all to be resolved soon.

NejeeperKNG

The country is infested with thieves and murderers. A beautiful country with more than its share of ills. It is sad and humiliating, what’s going on is a disgrace. Even if one is willing to risk their life by returning home to help in the rebuilding of the country, the odds are already stacked against you, starting at the airport. Tourists are fine. If the average Jamaican were as safe as the tourists, Jamaica would be the safest place on Earth.