Jack gets $289M to fight crime; promises new era of safety and security

File: Jack Warner

Jack Warner said on Thursday cabinet has approved $289.6 million to fight crime. The National Security Minister made the announcement at the weekly post cabinet media briefing.

He explained how the ministry would spend the money:

• $60 million: SRP establishment
• $5.1 million: Police Community Support Groups
• 164.5 million: IT solutions
• $60 million: 300 police vehicles

The new crime busting initiatives include an army of 5,000 Special Reserve Police (SRPs), the establishment of Police Community Support Groups in all nine Divisions, buying Information Technology solutions, and purchasing 300 vehicles for the Police Service.

Warner said there are media ads to recruit personnel for the protective services. He stated that he hopes to accelerate "this programme so as to have these people trained and to hit the road well in advance of the Christmas season."

He said 3,000 of the new SRPS will be placed in the Police Community Support Groups and receive training to work in non-confrontational areas. "The aim is to address anti-social behaviour and disorder," he said.

The minister also told the media that cabinet has approved a vehicle maintenance policy for new police vehicles.

Warner also said he would announce crime fighting initiatives at the the appropriate time. "I will not be rushed into that," he said. 

"I said before and I will say again, that the plan will be first given to the Prime Minister, then to the National Security Council and then such elements that should be given to the public, shall be given. 

"Let me advise once again that you shall feel the effects of the plan. When the plan is implemented it shall be swift, it shall be surgical, it shall be clinical, and this country shall begin a new era of safety and security."