MONTEGO BAY, St James — In the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s endeavour to ensure the security and safety of patrons attending Reggae Sumfest here from July 18 to 23, the Area One Police Division will be supported by members of the Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) in Kingston to assist with traffic management during the music festival.

Head of the Area One Police Division, which covers the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chambers revealed that the police will put in a raft of components to monitor the festival. He underscored that traffic management and traffic enforcement which will be introduced to reduce the expected traffic congestion.

“We will be augmented by them [PSTEB] so locations that we do have traffic lights will allow those, unless there is traffic congestion. Traffic congestion may be caused when you have a larger inflow of vehicles coming, which we anticipate given the volume of persons that is expected. So we’ll have persons along those intersections monitoring the traffic, and there will be a component where communication will be held with other members who are engaged along the corridor to see how best we can cause the traffic not to build up too much,” ACP Chambers told the Jamaica Observer.

He noted that apart from PSTEB, the St James Police will be bolstered by personnel from the other three divisions in Area One.

“We have to be mindful that with the road network there is going to be some level of build-up but we do not want it to become overbearing, and as a result of that traffic personnel will be coming in from other divisions into St James to support the traffic management, the traffic flow, traffic congestion,” said the Area One head.

“Also, we will ensure that vehicles are not parked idly along the roadway to incur traffic. We are also going to ensure that emergency vehicles will be able to move in and around in case of emergency so we will ensure that we do not have a gridlock in case there is an emergency.”

Head of the St James Police Division, Superintendent Carlos Russell also revealed that the police will be on the lookout for motor vehicle thieves and carjackers.

“We will be putting in measures to mitigate against all criminal activities such as motor vehicle theft and the breaking into cars,” Superintendent Russell said.

ACP Chambers, who also revealed that there will be “some element of crowd control”, pointed out that there will be overt and covert policing at critical locations.

“There is going to be a covert component as well, as we have undercover persons in and around the venue. There’s going to be a marine component, there’s going to be a tactical component to tactically respond to any major operational flare-up,” he said. “Outside of that, the known hot spots in St James will have high visible presence. Certain active road policing will be engaged in highly traversed routes.”

He also noted that over the festival period, the police will intensify the targeting of individuals who are wanted.

“…Critical part on this is there are certain known wanted persons — known meaning their pictures are available, although those will be again widely disseminated and circulated — and persons who are persons of interest whose pictures can’t be disseminated — their particulars will be shared with security stakeholders as they try to make all be aware who they are. As it is right now the threat level is low and we intend to continue to ensure that it remains that way,” ACP Chambers noted.

He added: “There are technology that will be used, to include drone technology, there are CCTV technology will be up and about, there will be the quick response team from St James motorcycle [unit] as well.”

This year’s festival week kicks off with the Sumfest Street Dance on Monday, July 18 followed by Sumfest All White on July 19, Sumfest Blitz on July 20, and the Sumfest Global Sound Clash on July 21. The Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre is set to come alive with the live stage performances of nights one and two of the festival on July 22 and 23.

ACP Chambers said the location enforcement will be augmented by security personnel who will be doing static duty at the location.

“Sentry patrol, perimeter patrol, car park patrol and all of them will be connected communication-wise through a network that will see quick response by law enforcement in case anything is observed,” he said.

“We are going to be having some VIPs — those may include ministers — they will be afforded certain security support as well. The organisers will be having some sociable events and as a result of that, our Community Safety and Security team will be part and parcel as we engage communities, as we engage kids, and as we look towards the welfare of other stakeholders,” the senior police officer stated.