ST JAMES, Jamaica – Residents of communities where free public Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed are being implored to protect the infrastructure for the benefit of generations to come.

“It is here to help our young people, and the wider community by extension. So please, I beg you, make sure it is protected 100 per cent,” said chief executive officer (CEO) at the Universal Service Fund (USF), Daniel Dawes.

He was addressing the launch of the Little London Wi-Fi hotspot in Westmoreland Western on May 4.

Zone four Commander for Negril and Little London, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Shaunjaye Mitchell, said that the hotspots can serve as a crime-fighting tool by engaging young people in productive activities.

He urged the youngsters in the community to use technology to enhance their development.

“They have opportunities to create businesses online…It is a big part of our crime-fighting strategy; give them something productive to do and they will do less wrongs. It is a big part of how we can reach our kids, and we want to commend the Government for taking this stance for allowing free access to everyone in communities,” he said.

In his address at the launch of the service in Town Head, Westmoreland, on the same day, Inspector at the Frome Police Station, Barrington Gentles, assured that every effort will be made to safeguard the access point from criminals.

He was speaking against the background of the theft of Wi-Fi equipment at Golden Spring, St Andrew and Newlands in Portmore, St Catherine.

Inspector Gentles implored residents of the farming community not to allow wrongdoers to rob them of access to the game-changing technology.

“Rest assured that the police will monitor this equipment. And the community at large, whenever you see anyone trying to remove [the] same, the police can be called and we can immediately respond to such [a] call,” he assured.

The Community Wi-Fi programme, being undertaken by the USF, aims to bridge the digital gap, particularly for individuals in deep rural areas who are unable to obtain Internet service.

– JIS