Hoax probe may go beyond Christmas

Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang has disclosed that while resources have been stretched thin in responding to recent bomb threats at various institutions in the Corporate Area and other sections of the island, there is no telling when the complex investigation into the hoaxes will be brought to a close.

Chang, along with Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of the crime portfolio, was responding to questions from The Gleaner during yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew.

The question was raised against the background of possibly having to respond to more bomb threats going into the Yuletide season, when it is expected that large groups of individuals will be gathered in shopping areas and elsewhere.

“You cannot put a timeline or limit on this kind of activity. The perpetrators are operating with a warped mind, and they will seek opportunities to disrupt at the most opportune time,” said Chang. “In fact, they chose schools. Schools are sensitive areas. Every Jamaican, 99.99 per cent of Jamaicans, are very caring about children.”

Chang said to disrupt schools and threaten children had the potential to traumatise many and that was why the perpetrators chose such institutions to start with.

“They know the response of the country would have to be aggressive, but also, in many ways, the entire country would be concerned and, therefore, it distracts and diverts your attention,” Chang noted.

The technology – the Internet – which has been used to carry out the threats, also poses a challenge for local law enforcement.

“The world today is based on electronic telecommunications, and you cannot lock it down. Some countries have attempted to do so, limit it, and other things. Those tend to be countries with authoritarian regimes. We are an open society, and the chances are that this kind of activity could increase,” Chang said.

The authorities, who stressed that they are working with international partners, say that the perpetrators so far, have proven to be tech savvy and could be operating from anywhere in the world.

Chang, who is also the deputy prime minister of Jamaica, said the country has to be prepared in terms of sensitisation and prevention.

The emergency services, according to Chang, should be adequately prepared and in a position to respond despite the potential added burden.

He said that more resources will be placed in the areas where needed.

Bailey, in the meantime, told The Gleaner that there is no timeline to their investigation.

“We are working ‘round the clock to see how we can solve this matter. One person was arrested, as you know, but we have some other leads that we are looking at,” he said.

The continuation of the bomb hoaxes, according to the senior crime fighter, may be the doing of copycats.

“We have to also be mindful that there are copycats around as well. It’s difficult for us to really put a timeline [on the investigation], but we are using the resources available to us to ensure that this matter is properly investigated and whoever is responsible is brought to justice,” Bailey said.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Youth says 74 schools were affected between November 9 and November 14.

Education Minister Fayval Williams said her directive to the institutions is to continue to take the threats seriously, every time.

Chang pointed to stronger legislation to deal with bomb hoaxes, noting that the Government is proposing to increase the penalties for perpetrators of such crimes.

The national security minister said the Government would have to work with the private and public sector to deal with this new approach from criminal players.

“Of course we will have to look at the legislative framework because currently, I’m told that the primary legislation we can charge the individual with when we find them is under public mischief. The activity certainly deserves more severe penalties, and we’ll have to examine them as we go forward,” Chang said.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com