NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says he will be seeking audience with Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson, on behalf of the resort town of Negril, to explore national security measures that can meet the specific needs of the growing resort community.

“I am here this evening hearing from the residents the challenges and we have examined some of the areas that we need to correct. I will have full discussion with the commissioner of police who will be able to give a more professionalised view of what we need to do to really ensure quality protocol without being oppressive or disruptive,” stated Dr Chang.

He was addressing a press briefing following a meeting organised by the Negril Chamber of Commerce at Charela Inn Hotel on Tuesday.

He spoke of some of Negril’s unique traits, such as the sometimes unauthorised offering of horseback riding on its famous seven-mile beach. In the past, guests have been seriously injured after being thrown from the back of an out-of-control horse.

During the meeting Dr Chang agreed with a resident’s suggestion that Negril needs its own policing model. The methods used, he said, should meet the needs of the business community as well as other residents. It is important, he said, for property to be protected, for there to be peace and a sense of order “from the streets to the beach, to the homes”.

He anticipates that the police commissioner will visit and make an assessment.

“I will have discussions with the commissioner of police and I know he will very soon see for himself because Negril is a place where unless you come to Negril, talk to the Negrilers and walk Negril, you really don’t understand Negril,” stated Dr Chang.

Going forward, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce Elaine Allen Bradley is hoping to see more technology, as opposed to boots on the ground, being used to fight crime in the town. It is an issue that was raised during the closed-door talks with Dr Chang, she said.

“One of the main things we discussed was the CCTV in and around the Negril,” explained Allen Bradley.

“The ones that we have are working. We went down to the observation room, and we saw that they were working, but not enough of them are working. So we want more. And the business community has literally offered to purchase some cameras to help…,” she added.

The chamber’s immediate past President Richard Wallace welcomed the planned visit of the top cop and Dr Chang’s promise of more resources for Negril.

“He did mention things like the cameras. He did mention vehicles. He did mention more boots on the ground. And so, these are some of the areas that we believe can immediately have an impact on Negril. We also discussed the management of enforcement resources in the area; because, you know, we can do a lot with what we have if it’s managed properly,” he summarised.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Whitehall area, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) Negril Chapter, and the Destination Assurance Committee (DAC).